1. Music and Movement
By D. Evans

2. Why Music & Movement
Children naturally love music and moving, which means fit, happy children.
Children who are exposed to music and have pleasurable experiences with it are more likely to participate in music throughout their life
Fun!

3. Benefits of Music & Movement
Physical Development
Exercise and strengthen muscles means mastering needed skills
Practice manipulating objects increases dexterity
Improves coordination , balance, stamina, and physical fitness
Positive release of energy

4. Benefits of Music & Movement
Mental Development
Language development—listening to and repeating short rhymes, songs, or fingerplays
Recognizing variations in sounds, pitch, tone, rhythm, and tempo
Matching movements to tempo or beat
Improved listening skills

5. Benefits of Music & Movement
Social/Emotional Development
Fun, pleasurable experiences that can be shared with others that can be stimulating or relaxing
Communication, forming attachments with caregivers through musical play
Music stimulates the emotions

6. Benefits of Music and Movement
Social/Emotional Development continued
Provides opportunities to be silly & for expressive movement
Giving and receiving attention

7. Caregiver’s Role in Guiding Experiences
Provide an environment that is rich in sound
Model enthusiasm and appreciation for a variety of music
Listen to and praise child’s musical attempts
Introduce children to music activities suited to their interest

8. Choosing Activities Age Appropriate Children Love Action Songs
Short, simple, catchy tunes and lyrics
Children Love Action Songs
Break from sitting and opportunity to vent emotions
Love Familiar Songs
Make up new words for tunes already known

9. Ideas for Caregivers Enjoy dancing and singing with child
Show child how to hop like a rabbit, tiptoe like a mouse, etc.
Encourage child to play with words, make rhymes, identify and imitate sounds
Use prepositions like “in”, “on”, etc.

10. Ideas for Caregivers Introduce instruments. Dance & play with child.
Be Silly! Make up your own movements and words, and let the child do the same.
Match rhythms by tapping a simple rhythmic pattern and letting the child echo. Reverse.

11. Music & Movement Play “Hokey Poke” “Where is Thumbkin?”
“I’m a Little Teapot”
“Musical chairs”
“Wheels on the Bus”
“Where is Thumbkin?”
“This is the Way we Wash Our Hands”
Create musical instruments

12. Music & Movement Play “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
Listen to and watch windchimes—let children cause them to chime and move
Listen to “Peter & The Wolf”
Chant
“If You’re Happy & You Know It”
Paint to music with changing tempo