Like a Butterfly: Como Mariposa

May 27, 2026

Lessons, Rhythm & Movement, Social Emotional Learning

This is a song-based activity designed to target emotional regulation and reduce anxiety in our littlest learners. Thoughtfully designed to engage a variety of activity centers in the brain, and specifically activate the parasympathetic system, this lesson activates a sense of relaxation and calm.

Presented in Spanish with English subtitles, in the following video Vanesa demonstrates the movements for this activity and describes their beneficial effects.

Click here to download the movement cards.

The score is available in both English and Spanish.

Vanesa provides demonstration videos below in both English and Spanish.

Like a Butterfly (English)

Vuela Mariposa (Español)

Want to dive deeper with Vanesa? Check out Musical Mosaic – A Summer Retreat for Music Teachers!

Incorporation of research and child psychology are cornerstones of the elemental experience planned for the Musical Mosaic Course and Moravian University this summer. We offer this free lesson to you to help you get an idea of how we plan to bring together a mosaic of elements to create a unified and rich learning experience through elemental processes.

Visit ACEMM’s website for more course information, financial aid, and sneak peak materials!

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ACEMM

The American Center for Elemental Music and Movement is to committed to promoting the artistic and pedagogical possibilities of elemental music and movement. In the belief that all human beings have the capability and need to express themselves through these media, the Center will offer educational programs and performance opportunities for children and adults.
The goal of the Center's work is to provide learning opportunities for all ages that center around the intrinsic value of elemental music and movement experienced in an artistically meaningful way. Encouraging and creating opportunities for the study of pedagogical approaches toward facilitating experiences in elemental music and movement within and for a variety of communities is an extension of our main goal. This is accomplished through the creation of programs for educators and community members that explore and develop the skills to perform and create as well as foster the appreciation of elemental music and movement styles.

We invite you to explore our growing resources and articles. Add you voice among our supporters! Our programs are expanding, and our impacts are creating positive ripple effects in classrooms across the U.S. and the world.

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Maria Vanesa Utz

Maria Vanesa Utz is a clinical psychologist and music educator from Paraguay. She has dedicated over 20 years to nurturing children's development through early music education and choral conducting. She is a university teacher, leader of different Nacional sociocultural programs and founder & CEO of EducArt® Center, an intercultural hub providing bilingual music and movement children programs with a special curriculum for neurological and developmental differences.

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