Exploring Music and Movement With Young Children

Music and movement activities can be a fun part of every day in your preschool!

Benefits of Music and Movement:

1. Provides a means of communication and expression

2. Serves as an emotional release

3. Heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity

4. Develops and promotes creative thinking

5. Develops an appreciation for individuality

6. Serves as a balance in classroom activities

7. Assists in the development of physical coordination and body awareness

8. Strengthens self-concept and self confidence

9. Increases self understanding

10. Enhances the ability to differentiate sounds

11. Helps develop fine motor skills

12. Provides opportunities for problem- solving and decision making

13. Provides insight and assists the adult in understanding the child

14. Develops self-relaxation and regulation skills

15. Illustrates cause and effect

16. Stimulates the part of the brain that learns

17. Develops math concepts and skills

Make Musical Instruments!

• Paper plate Tambourines

• Jingle bell bracelets (sewn onto ponytail holders, or threaded onto pipe cleaners)

• Bottle Music (glass bottles or glasses filled with different amounts of water, spoons)

• Milk carton or cereal box guitar

• Comb/wax paper harmonica

• Plastic egg shakers

• Clear soda bottle shakers

• Oatmeal container drum

• Dowel sticks (hit together to keep the beat)

• Sandpaper blocks (to rub together)

• Soda bottle whistles (blow downward, from the side, to make sound)

• Snapple juice lid clackers

• Pots and Pan lid cymbals

Copyright 2005 ~Cathy Abraham