Movement songs encourage children to move their bodies and engage in physical activity. They are essential for children because they promote physical development, improve coordination and balance, and encourage physical activity and exercise.
Movement songs also help develop gross motor skills and allow children to use their energy positively and constructively.
In addition to the physical benefits, movement songs can positively impact children’s cognitive development. Singing and moving to music can improve memory, increase language skills, and enhance listening skills.
Movement songs can also allow children to express themselves creatively and build self-confidence.
In summary, movement songs are a fun and engaging way for children to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. They allow children to be active, express themselves, and have fun, all while learning and growing.
Movement Songs and cognitive development of Kids
Movement songs can have a positive impact on a child’s cognitive development in several ways:
Memory
Singing and moving to the music helps to improve memory, as children have to recall the words and actions to the songs.
Language skills
Movement songs can increase language skills as children learn new words and phrases through the lyrics.
Listening skills
Engaging in movement songs can also improve listening skills, as children must listen carefully to the music and instructions to participate.
Creativity
Movement songs allow children to express themselves creatively through movement or vocal expression.
Self-confidence
Participating in movement songs can also build self-confidence, as children feel a sense of accomplishment and mastery when they can successfully perform the movements and sing the songs.
Movement songs are a fun and engaging way for children to develop cognitively, physically, and emotionally. Children can improve their memory, language, listening, creativity, and self-confidence by participating in movement songs.
How to Make Movement Fun & Engaging For Young Learners
Here are some tips on how to make movement fun and engaging for young learners:
Use upbeat music
Choose fast-paced and energetic music to encourage children to move and have fun.
Incorporate props
Use props such as scarves, hula-hoops, or ribbons to create a new level of fun and excitement for the movement activities.
Make it interactive
Encourage children to work together in small groups or as a whole class to create a sense of community and collaboration.
Provide choices
Give children the opportunity to choose the movements they would like to do or the props they would like to use to increase their sense of control and engagement.
Encourage expression
Encourage children to express themselves through movement, whether it’s through dancing, jumping, or other physical activities.
Use positive reinforcement
Praise children for their efforts and encourage them to keep trying to build their self-confidence and motivation.
By incorporating these tips, you can make movement activities fun and engaging for young learners and help to promote physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Brain break and movement songs
Movement songs can be an effective tool for providing brain breaks for kids because they:
Recharge their brains
Movement songs allow kids to take a break from passive activities and get their bodies moving. This can help to increase blood flow to the brain, reducing fatigue and improving focus and attention.
Reduce stress
Movement songs can also be a fun way to release stress and tension, helping kids to feel more relaxed and focused.
Improve physical coordination
Engaging in physical activity through movement songs can help to improve physical coordination and balance.
Movement Songs Your Kids Can Dance to Right Now
Here are ten popular movement songs that kids can dance to:
“Baby Shark”
Here are the lyrics to the popular movement song for kids-
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Baby shark!
Mommy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Mommy shark!
Daddy shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Daddy shark!
Grandma shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Grandma shark!
Grandpa shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Grandpa shark!
Let’s go hunt, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Let’s go hunt!
Run away, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Run away!
Safe at last, doo doo doo doo doo doo x3
Safe at last!
“The Hokey Pokey”
Here are the song lyrics; you can always check out the complete lyrics on YouTube! The lyrics itself give an idea of the choreography and your kid can move according to the lyrics.
You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about!
You put your left foot in
You put your left foot out
You put your left foot in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about!
You put your right hand in
You put your right hand out
You put your right hand in
And you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about!
“Wheels on the Bus”
Here are the lyrics to the popular children’s song “The Wheels on the Bus”:
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Round and round, round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
All through the town.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,
All through the town.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep,
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep,
All through the town.
The people on the bus go up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
The people on the bus go up and down,
All through the town.
And so the song goes, with different actions and lyrics for different parts of the bus, such as the doors, the engine, the babies, and so on.
“Let It Go” (from Frozen)
This is one of the most popular songs from the blockbuster Disney movie named “Frozen.” Apart from the song, you can watch the entire movie with your kids, and they will have a great time. You can check out the entire song’s lyrics on YouTube, as it is immensely popular.
“If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Here are the lyrics to the popular children’s song “If You’re Happy and You Know It”:
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and know it, your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
The song can continue with different actions for each verse, such as stomping your feet, nodding your head, turning around, etc.
“Walking Walking”
Kids love to follow the instructions in this song on walking, running, stopping, tiptoeing, swimming, sleeping, and hopping. They get excited when they are asked to pace up toward the song’s end. Here goes the lyrics of the song-
Walking walking. Walking walking.
Hop hop hop. Hop hop hop.
Running running running. Running running running.
Now let’s stop. Now let’s stop.
Walking walking. Walking walking.
Hop hop hop. Hop hop hop.
Running running running. Running running running.
Now let’s stop. Now let’s stop.
Tiptoe tiptoe. Tiptoe tiptoe.
Jump jump jump. Jump jump jump.
Swimming swimming swimming.
Swimming swimming swimming.
Now let’s sleep. Now let’s sleep.
Wake up!
It’s time to go!
Are you ready to go fast?
Okay!
Walking walking. Walking walking.
Hop hop hop. Hop hop hop.
Running running running. Running running running.
Now let’s stop. Now let’s stop.
Walking walking. Walking walking.
Hop hop hop. Hop hop hop.
Running running running. Running running running.
Now let’s stop. Now let’s stop.
Whew!
The Freeze Dance
The Freeze Dance is a well-known song that’s frequently played at school and birthday parties! These preschool movement songs make for a great time both at home and during circle time in a toddler or kindergarten class setting. Here are the lyrics-
Let’s play the Party Freeze game
Now remember
When I say “freeze”
Freeze
And when I say “dance”
Dance!
Dancing, dancing all around
Dancing, dancing, dancing
Dancing any way you please
But stop when I say… “freeze”
Everybody, get ready to hop
Hopping, hopping all around
Hopping, hopping, hopping
Hopping any way you please
But stop when I say… “freeze”
Everybody, get ready to skip
Skipping, skipping all around
Skipping, skipping, skipping
Skipping any way you please
But stop when I say… “freeze”
Simon Says Song
One of the most popular movement games for kids has a song to it! Here are the lyrics-
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
Simon says to touch your Nose
Simon says to touch your Shoulder
Simon says to touch your Elbows
Touch your Head
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
Simon says Stomp your feet
Simon says Bend your Knees
Simon saystouch your Ears
Touch your Back
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
Simon says Jump up and down
Simon says Stop
Simon says Jump up and down
Now stop
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
Simon says Snap your fingers
Simon says Wiggle your Arm
Simon says Move like a robot
Simon says Sit down
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
Simon says Stand on your toes
Simon says Air guitar
Simon says Blink your eyes
Shake your head
Simon says, simon says only do what simon says
Simon says, simons says only do what simon says
One Little Finger
Here is the lyrics to this simple and yet fun movement song for kids-
One little finger, one little finger, one little finger.
Tap tap tap.
Point your finger up.
Point your finger down.
Put it on your head. Head!
One little finger, one little finger, one little finger.
Tap tap tap.
Point your finger up.
Point your finger down.
Put it on your nose. Nose!
One little finger, one little finger, one little finger.
Tap tap tap.
Point your finger up.
Point your finger down.
Put it on your chin. Chin!
One little finger, one little finger, one little finger.
Tap tap tap.
Point your finger up.
Point your finger down.
Put it on your arm. Arm!
One little finger, one little finger, one little finger.
Tap tap tap.
Point your finger up.
Point your finger down.
Put it on your leg. Leg!
How Can Parents Help Their Kids Get Moving with Music?
Here are some ways parents can help their kids get moving with music:
- Play music that encourages movement and dance, such as upbeat pop songs or classic children’s songs with a strong rhythm.
- Create a dance party atmosphere by turning off the lights, using glow sticks or other fun props, and encouraging kids to move their bodies however they like.
- Encourage kids to use their imagination and come up with their own dance moves, or let them act out the lyrics of the song they’re listening to.
- Join in the fun yourself! Dancing with your kids is a great way to bond and model healthy, active behavior.
- Incorporate movement into other activities, such as singing and acting out songs while doing chores, or playing music and dancing during playtime.
- Take turns choosing songs and encouraging kids to come up with creative ways to move to the music.
- Make it a game by having kids compete to see who can come up with the most unique or silly dance moves.
Remember, the goal is to have fun and encourage kids to be active and engage with music, so make sure to keep a positive and supportive atmosphere.
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my Next startup Cledemy.Com)