Music and movement activities are an essential part of early childhood development, and they are especially important for toddlers.
Toddlers are naturally curious and energetic, and they love to move and explore their surroundings.
We will explore some of the best music and movement activities for toddlers & preschoolers and their benefits.
Benefits of Music and Movement for 3 – 5 Year Olds
Music and movement activities are not only fun, but they also offer numerous benefits for toddlers. Some of the benefits include:
Related: 5 Important Preschool Development Stages
Physical Development:
Toddlers need plenty of opportunities to move and explore their surroundings. Music and movement activities help them develop their gross motor skills, coordination, and balance.
Social Development:
Toddlers love to interact with others and music and movement activities provide the perfect opportunity for them to do so. These activities can help them develop their social skills, such as taking turns, sharing, and cooperating with others.
Cognitive Development:
Music and movement activities can also help toddlers develop their cognitive skills. These activities require them to listen, follow instructions, and use their imaginations, which can help them develop their memory, attention, and creativity.
Emotional Development:
Music has the power to evoke emotions and can be a great way for toddlers to express themselves. Movement activities can help them release their energy and feel more relaxed and happy.
Related: 20 Fun Clapping Games for Preschoolers
10 Best Music and Movement Activities for Toddlers
Dancing to Music:
Toddlers love to dance and move to music. You can play a variety of music genres and encourage them to dance along. You can also introduce them to different dance styles, such as ballet, hip hop, and jazz.
Singing Songs:
Singing songs is a great way to introduce toddlers to music and help them develop their language skills. You can sing nursery rhymes, children’s songs, and even make up your own songs.
Playing Musical Instruments:
Toddlers love to explore and experiment with different musical instruments. You can provide them with child-friendly instruments, such as drums, shakers, and xylophones, and let them play and make their own music.
Moving to the Beat:
You can play different types of music and encourage toddlers to move to the beat. You can play fast music and encourage them to jump and run, or slow music and encourage them to sway and twirl.
Yoga for Toddlers:
Yoga is a great way to help toddlers develop their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. You can introduce them to simple yoga poses, such as downward dog, tree pose, and child’s pose.
Freeze Dance:
Freeze dance is a fun game where toddlers dance to music and freeze when the music stops. You can play a variety of music genres and encourage them to dance and freeze in different positions.
Musical Chairs:
Musical chairs is a classic game that toddlers love to play. You can set up chairs in a circle and play music while the toddlers walk around the chairs. When the music stops, they have to find a chair to sit on. The toddler who is left without a chair is out, and a chair is removed for the next round.
Follow the Leader:
Follow the leader is a fun game where toddlers follow the movements of a leader. You can play music and encourage the leader to move in different ways, such as jumping, skipping, and twirling. The other toddlers have to follow the leader’s movements.
Sensory Activities with Music:
You can combine sensory activities with music to create a fun and engaging experience for toddlers. For example, you can play different types of music and provide them with sensory materials, such as sand, water, or paint. They can use these materials to create their own art while listening to music.
Music and Storytelling:
You can use music to enhance storytelling for toddlers. You can play music that matches the theme of the story, such as jungle music for a story about animals, or ocean sounds for a story about the sea. This can help toddlers engage with the story and develop their listening skills.
Related: 20 Indoor Physical Activities for 3 5 Year Olds
Conclusion:
As a caregiver, you can incorporate music and movement into your daily routine to create a fun and stimulating environment for toddlers.
You can use a variety of activities, such as dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, yoga, freeze dance, musical chairs, follow the leader, sensory activities with music, and music and storytelling.
By incorporating these activities into your routine, you can help toddlers develop their skills and foster a lifelong love of music and movement.
References:
- De La Rue, S. E., & Cockerham, K. (2019). Music and Movement in the Early Years: A Systematic Review. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 8(2), 301-318.
- Pölkki, T., Korhonen, A., & Rautava, P. (2019). The effects of music and movement on physiological and emotional responses in toddlers. Early Child Development and Care, 189(11), 1758-1771.
