What are the music and movement activities I can do with preschoolers?

Question

What are the activities that I can do that incorporate bean bags? What are the children's songs that I can play?

Answer 1

There are few CD to accompany bean bag game. You can get the CD from ChenXi Impact. The one that I like to play with my 4 years old goes like this

"Throw your bean bag and catch 2x; turn around, turn around, tap, tap, tap. Put it on your head (can be changed with anypart of body) and walk around the room, walk around the room. put it on your head and walk around the room, walk around the room"

Answer 2

There are sooo many things you can do!! I have a CD with some beanbag songs on them, though I don't know how easily you can get a hold of it. It's Greg & Steve, Kids in Motion. And it has other great movement songs on it as well.

A fantastic author to check out is John M. Feierabend. His books guide you to teaching music to your little one and are easy enough to understand. They have tons of songs and movement activities that are right for any age.

Also, check out Wee Sing books. They come with CD's and a booklet. So you can pop in the CD and have the kids move around.

Another great idea is to stick in some of your favorite "classical" music and have the kids do "interpretive dance" along with it. It sounds more complicated than it is. All they do is dance around to cues in the music (i.e. if it's slow, they dance slow. If it's a march they pretend their in a band. If it is sudden, they jump. Etc) Some good ideas are songs from the Nutcracker Suite, and many of the songs you hear around Halloween (In the Hall of the Mountain King, March of the Marionettes, Monster Mash, etc.)

Plus... Jim Gill makes great songs that are geared to be easy to make up movements to. He has many CD's and they're all great!

And if that isn't enough... there's always more. Check out these websites for easy song ideas. If you want any more ideas let me know... I've got plenty where those came from!

Answer 3

they do in preeschool

Answer 4

If the goal is developing a steady beat, for preschoolers, I'd not use props to start, but use music with solid beat (ie. "Heard it through the Grapevine" or some of the Irish dance music is great) and have children "mirrow" you in a sitting position patting legs, clapping, tapping shoulders, head... using both hands at the same time.  You could even use a giant "rag doll" in your lap and have it pat legs, etc. and children do what the doll does for variety.  Eventually, stand in place and do similar movements.  As children develop... marching in circles, side to side, forward and back.. add alternating hand movements sitting as skills increase.  Take a look here for bean bag ideas: http://www.google.com/search?q=children+...