3 Developmental Music and Movement Activities I Can Do With My Preschool Child

Preschool children have a lot to gain from activities that involve music and movement. Songs and music teach language, and songs that provide movement incentives help develop skills needed for other activities. Putting their right foot in and pulling their right foot out bolsters coordination, teaches children the difference between right and left, builds vocabulary, and encourages the development of fine and gross motor skills.

1. Be a Role Model

When your Montessori preschool children see you singing along to the radio or dancing about the room, they want to imitate what you do. To that end, the single biggest thing you can contribute in early child development is to be a great role model, showing your children the kind of activities you want them to mimic. Sing to your child, hold his hands and dance with him, and encourage him when he begins to be-bop around the room himself.

2. Sing-Alongs

Singing along to children's songs helps preschool children develop a stronger vocabulary, helps them learn valuable lessons about themselves and the world, and more. Set aside a little time each day to sing along to some songs, take note of the ones your child enjoys the most, and encourage him to sing along when a favorite tune comes on the radio. Because whether you are singing Itsy-Bitsy Spider or a top-10 pop song you are helping your child learn to speak more fluently and providing other important developmental skills in language, fine motor skills, and more.

3. Dance With Me

Clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and swaying to and fro in time to music helps children develop vital fine and gross motor skills. Fine motor skills are necessary for gripping and manipulating small objects, and gross motor skills are used for running, jumping, climbing, and more. Dancing with your child is a valuable activity that goes far beyond the actual music and movements taking place.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands, and encourage your preschooler to sing along, move along, and participate. Praise his style and ability, because your praise builds his self-esteem, and children who feel good about their abilities are more willing to use them. For small children, everything they do is an educational activity and the more ways you are able to encourage his participation, the faster and easier early childhood development will be.