Active for Life provides ideas for incorporating music and movement as an engaging way to help infants and young children develop key aspects of physical literacy, along with creative concepts.

The article notes that, whilst the various components of music and movement may look different from one household to another, essentially the idea is that, by combining rhythm, sound and movement, children can explore their bodies whilst building cognitive, emotional and social abilities.

Activities like dancing, clapping, jumping, and playing simple instruments to the beat of music can help develop coordination balance, motor skills, and creativity whilst fostering social and emotional growth, and it is never to early to start. Infants are responsive to sounds, rhythms, and gentle movements from the first few months. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy music and movement activities, which are incorporated into the curriculum of many preschools and daycares.

Infants:

·      Babies are attuned to sound even from the womb, though it is mostly their mother’s voice they need to hear to be soothed.

·      Simple rhythmic movements such as rocking, bouncing or swaying to a song can soothe and calm an infant, and even help them fall asleep.

·      By one year old, children will respond physically to music.

The article offers a link to 17 song and game ideas to keep your baby clapping and moving at https://activeforlife.com/17-games-songs-for-baby

The Mother Goose program offers a great introduction to musical response for young children and their parents/caregivers, developing a repertoire of poems and songs and building confidence.

Toddlers:

The article notes: “Toddlers love imitating movements and sounds, and they also love repetition. At some point in their toddler years, they’ll start doing repeated motions to a song they love, dancing in circles, and even asking to play or sing their favourite song!”

Preschoolers:

“At this age, they can follow multi-step instructions, dance in sync with others, and explore their creative expression through music.” They are also developing independence, so may like to choose when they participate or sit out of music and movement activities.

As well as building motor skills, improving coordination and supporting social and emotional wellbeing, music and movement activities offer an engaging way access a range of other benefits, including:

·      Sensory stimulation

·      Tactile and vestibular development (enhancing balance and sense of movement in space)

·      Body awareness

·      Balance and coordination

·      Gross and fine motor skills

·      Exercise

On a final note, the article mentions that “incorporating some level of music and movement into your child’s daily routine can also help you recognize if they’re having any sensory issues or movement issues”.

The article includes a number of ideas for music and movement activities for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, including:

·      Gentle bouncing to a rhythm

·      Clapping and tapping (you can gently help your infant clap or tap along)

·      Singing nursery rhymes

·      Freeze dance – freeze when the music stops

·      Action songs like “The Wheels on the Bus”

·      Parade with shakers or tambourines

·      Animal dances where the child imitates how different animals move

·      Rhythm instruments like drums or maracas

·      Circle time songs

·      Musical chairs

·      Dance party

·      Follow the leader (take turns setting a movement pattern for others to follow)

·      Scarf dancing (use scarves to wave whilst dancing)

·      Dance in the mirror (18–24 month olds are often fascinated with their reflection!)

There are ways to adapt music and movement activities to adjust to different physical or learning abilities. The article offers a variety of suggestions for adaptation for:

·      Seated or stationary activites

·      Sensory adaptations

·      Inclusive group games

·      Visual cues

·      Breaking down steps and using repetition to assist children with cognitive challenges