There’s no better way to combine fun and physical activity than through music and movement! At Aussie Kindies Early Learning, we love engaging children with music and movement programs that encourage physical development, coordination, and creativity. These activities are a great way to help your little one build their motor skills, develop a sense of rhythm, and get their bodies moving.
To bring this fun home, here are some of our favourite action songs and movement games you can enjoy with your child. These activities are perfect for children aged 0-5 and can help extend the learning happening at our centres.
1. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
This classic action song is great for getting kids moving and learning about different body parts. It’s perfect for toddlers just learning to follow along with simple actions.
- How to play: Sing the song while pointing to your head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Encourage your child to follow along with the movements.
- Learning focus: Body awareness, coordination, and following instructions.
- Tip: Speed it up or slow it down to make the game more exciting!
2. The Hokey Pokey
Another favourite, the Hokey Pokey, is perfect for teaching your child how to move different parts of their body while having fun with the music.
- How to play: Sing the song and act out the movements (e.g., “You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out”). Encourage your child to join in by copying your actions.
- Learning focus: Coordination, listening skills, and body control.
- Tip: Add extra body parts or objects to make the game more engaging for older kids.
3. If You’re Happy and You Know It
This song is a great way to encourage your child to connect emotions with movement. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to get them to listen to instructions and move their body in new ways.
- How to play: Sing the song and follow the actions (e.g., clapping hands, stomping feet). Let your child come up with their own actions, like jumping or spinning.
- Learning focus: Emotional expression, listening skills, and gross motor development.
- Tip: After singing, ask your child how they feel and encourage them to express their emotions with movements.
4. Row, Row, Row Your Boat
This simple song can turn into a fun movement game that gets children thinking about rhythm and motion. It’s perfect for younger children and can be played indoors or outdoors.
- How to play: Sit facing your child and hold hands. As you sing the song, pretend to “row” a boat by rocking back and forth. For older children, you can stand and "row" in place.
- Learning focus: Rhythm, coordination, and social interaction.
- Tip: Change the words to include different actions, like “rock, rock, rock your boat” or “jump, jump, jump your boat” to keep the game fresh and fun.
5. The Freeze Dance
This energetic game encourages children to move to music and then stop when the music pauses. It’s a fantastic way to build self-control and motor skills, while also introducing them to rhythm.
- How to play: Play music and encourage your child to dance. Pause the music suddenly and say “freeze!” Watch as your child tries to stop all movement. When the music starts again, they can keep dancing.
- Learning focus: Self-regulation, rhythm, and balance.
- Tip: Vary the types of music - slow songs, fast beats, or even silly tunes - to keep your child engaged.
6. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Turn Around
This action rhyme encourages children to follow along with simple movements while developing their sense of balance and body control.
- How to play: Sing the rhyme with actions (e.g., “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground”). Let your child follow along with the movements.
- Learning focus: Gross motor development, balance, and following instructions.
- Tip: Change the rhyme’s ending to include new movements, like “jump up high” or “spin in a circle” to make it more challenging.
7. Obstacle Course Adventure
Set up a simple indoor or outdoor obstacle course to get your child moving and thinking about how they can navigate different challenges.
- How to play: Use household items like pillows, chairs, and boxes to create a course. Have your child crawl under tables, jump over cushions, or balance on a line of tape. Sing a fun song as they go through the course.
- Learning focus: Problem-solving, coordination, and gross motor skills.
- Tip: Make it more exciting by adding a theme, like pretending to be jungle explorers or astronauts!
8. Ring Around the Rosie
This traditional circle game is great for toddlers and preschoolers, encouraging them to move in a circle while singing and then "falling down" in the end.
- How to play: Hold hands with your child (or multiple children) and move in a circle while singing. When you get to “we all fall down,” everyone sits or gently falls to the ground.
- Learning focus: Social interaction, coordination, and balance.
- Tip: Vary the actions for each round - try spinning faster, walking in slow motion, or even hopping around!
A Note on Safety
While these activities are fun, it's important to make sure your child is safe while moving around. Choose a space that’s free from obstacles and hazards, and encourage safe movements. Always supervise your child during play, especially if they are trying new actions.
How Music and Movement Supports Learning at Aussie Kindies
At Aussie Kindies Early Learning, music and movement are a big part of our Lifelong Learning Curriculum. We know that children learn best when they are actively engaged, and that includes using their bodies to explore rhythm, balance, and coordination. Through these music and movement activities, children develop essential physical skills, while also enhancing their cognitive and social abilities.
By incorporating these fun games and songs at home, you’re supporting your child’s physical development while building on the learning happening at our centre. Plus, it’s a great way to have some active fun together!
A Wonderful Way to get Moving, Laughing, and Learning
Music and movement are more than just a fun way to pass the time - they’re essential for your child’s physical and cognitive development. Whether you’re singing classic songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” or creating your own obstacle course, these activities are a wonderful way to get your little one moving, laughing, and learning.
Try these games and songs with your child and see how much fun they have while developing important skills. For more ideas or to learn how music and movement are integrated into the programs at Aussie Kindies, feel free to ask your child’s educator for additional resources.