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

• Provides a means of communication and expression
• Serves as an emotional release
• Heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity
• Develops and promotes creative thinking
• Develops an appreciation for individuality
• Serves as a balance in classroom activities
• Assists in the development of physical coordination and body awareness
• Strengthens self-concept and self confidence
• Increases self understanding
• Enhances the ability to differentiate sounds
• Helps develop fine motor skills
• Provides opportunities for problem- solving and decision making
• Provides insight and assists the adult in understanding the child
• Develops self-relaxation and regulation skills
• Illustrates cause and effect
• Stimulates the part of the brain that learns
• 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