The Science
Music and Movement is a simple and fun way to engage with your child, even before birth!
There are many ways that you can use Music and Movement, such as through dancing, singing rhymes, making homemade instruments, chants, action songs, creating sounds with common objects, and more! Why is Music & Movement important in my child’s development? Not only is this concept a way for children to have fun, but it provides many opportunities to support your little one’s physical, mental, and social development. Naturally, we humans are drawn to music, and it is utilized in numerous ways to convey emotions or influence the environment around us. For example, we tend to listen to calming sounds and soft lullabies when we are encouraging rest time, or we play fun upbeat music when it is time to play and engage with each other! Also, music can often invoke emotions within us and can allow us a space to express ourselves. The same is true for very young children.
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Music & Movement allows for children to:
• Learn about rules and problem solve through different action songs
• Learn about letters and numbers in new ways with creative songs
• Learn to connect their emotions and motion through self-expression of free-style dancing
• Create deeper connections with expressive and receptive language as they learn songs/moves, and repeat those actions
• Develop key motor skills, both large and small through dance, balance, fingers play, etc.
• Build upon their developmental milestones as they learn and grow
• Explore different senses
• Explore their creativity and innovation through exploring and creating their own types of sounds and/or instruments, and
• Be introduced to music and their interest in exploring different types of music, instruments, cultures, and more!
There are no limits to how you can incorporate Music and Movement into your child’s day. Just remember, all children are different. Some children may be more drawn to music, while others prefer other activities to express themselves and learn. It is still important to provide Music and Movement opportunities to allow for your child to have the exposure to a variety of ways to engage with music to support learning and fun!
Videos
Watch some of our favorite educational videos on music and movement.
Common Questions
What developmental milestones should my child be meeting through music and movement?
There are few milestones to consider when looking at music and movement development, including hearing, language, movement, social engagement and more. A milestone checklists can be found here: http://www.avant-gardemusicstudio.com/ages-stages-musical-development/
Remember, if you are concerned with your child’s development, reach out to your child’s pediatrician and/or your local Early Childhood Intervention program (https://citysearch.hhsc.state.tx.us/).
Where can I find free resources to encourage music and movement for my little one?
The internet can provide you with numerous opportunities including YouTube and Pinterest. For both, you can search music and movement for babies or toddlers and numerous options will appear. Additionally, many local libraries offer free music and movement classes for parents and very young children. You can also explore your own home? What do you already own that makes music, and fun sounds?
How early can I start music and movement with my child?
You can start before birth. By week 18 your child is developing their sense of hearing. So, you can listen to music and sing to your baby and even sway to rock your little one within the womb. After birth, you can continue to sing songs and begin demonstrating finger plays and delighting in their kicking and arm movements as you engage with them.
What if we don’t have any instruments at home?
Not a problem! Have a bowl or pot and a spoon? You now have a drum kit. Have a paper towel roll? You now have a trumpet. There are many ways to make instruments at home for free or very little cost. Check out the activities to try out a few!
We don’t have a lot of space to dance in, what do you suggest?
Take it outside! If you have a safe open space, outside is a great place to engage in music and movement. Also, check out your local library and recreation center to see if they offer music and movement opportunities for families. Also, singing songs and hand action still count as music and movement and need very little space to complete.
Activities
DIY Instruments
- Description: Find objects around your house with your child and experiment with them to see if you can make an instrument or make funny sounds. Allow your child to be creative and follow their lead.
Twinkle Twinkle
- Description: A lovely finger play game to do at any age – from Conscious Discipline – is Twinkle Twinkle little star. You can perform these actions with you’re a baby, or engage in joint action with your toddler.
Finger Play Puppets
- Description: Many repetitive songs can be made into finger puppets. For example: Five Little Speckled Frogs, Old McDonald, Five Little Ducks, Five Little Monkeys. Pick a song you would like to do explore (such as Five Little Ducks) and grab a glove. You can print pictures of ducks off the internet and you can glue the ducks to each finger of the glove. As you sing the song, curl your fingers down as the ducks leave.
Freeze Dance
- Description: Gather your little one around and pick some kid friendly songs. Let the kids know that they can dance how ever they would like as the music plays, but when the music stops everyone FREEZE! This will help children learn to listen to rules and learn self-control as the music stops.
Alphabet Dance
- Description: A fun way to expose your child to the letters of the alphabet is to have them try to make their shapes with their body. While they may not be able to do this perfectly, that is ok! This dance is just another way to incorporate the alphabet into their play.
