Develop multicultural awareness through music in motion activities. Play music from different types of cultures and show children rudimentary versions of dances that are associated with the cultures. For example, you could play Irish music and show children how to do jigs, or play Native American music and show children examples of different types of tribal dances. As you play the music, let children try to perform the cultural dances on their own.
Encourage children to move like different types of animals while playing music. Talk about different types of animals and ask children how they move. For example, ask them to move like cats, dogs, monkeys or bees. Play different types of background music for children to move to. Ask children to dance around to the music while they act like one of the types of animals you discuss.
Offer children musical instruments and objects that they can use as instruments so that they can create their own music. Talk about the different types of instruments -- drums, tambourines, whistles, bells and triangles, for example. Allow preschoolers to explore the sounds that they make. Set out empty oatmeal canisters and show children how they can be used as drums, or fill film canisters with dried beans and show children how to shake them to make music. Create different beats and rhythms with the instruments. Invite children to dance around while making their own music.
Many traditional types of dances are set to specific types of music. For example, ballet is often set to classical music and swing dancing is often set to big bands. Play examples from different genres of music and talk about the types of dances that can be performed to each type of music. Allow children to do their own interpretations of the dances. You can also simply play various genres of music and allow children to move about to it any way they wish.