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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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?
Where can I find free resources to encourage music and movement for my little one?
How early can I start music and movement with my child?
What if we don’t have any instruments at home?
We don’t have a lot of space to dance in, what do you suggest?
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.