Incorporating art with singing is a way to get your preschool-age children's creative juices flowing. Choose a theme and a song. For example, if it's raining outside, have your children create a cloud puppet and sing rain-related songs, such as "Rain, Rain, Go Away," suggests PreschoolRock.com, an online resource for preschool teachers and parents. For the puppet, help the children cut out cloud-shaped objects from blue or gray construction paper. Have them glue cotton balls on the construction paper so the object now resembles a fluffy cloud. Glue the cloud to a craft stick. When finished, sing songs about the rain while the children play with their cloud art.
Preschool-aged children learn how to better control their bodies and physical control when movement is combined with singing and music, according to Kids Health, a health resource for parents, educators and children. Play a follow-the-leader style game with your preschool children. You create a fun movement, such as two bunny hops, and sing a verse of a song. Have the children follow your lead. You can make a song up as you go to add an element of surprise or sing a well-known children's song. Do this a few times, and allow the children to take turns being the leader.
During circle time, give your children the opportunity to create a classroom song together. First, select a theme as a classroom. Friendship, sharing and manners are a few age-appropriate themes. Tell the children that the words in the song will be about the chosen theme. Next, give the little ones a few minutes to brainstorm. Then, as a group, ask for ideas as to what words should be in the song. Write down the lyrics on a board so children will recognize letters and words. When the lyrics have been written, allow the children to choose how words could be spoken in song.
Rhythm sticks, maracas or bells are age-appropriate instruments that children can play with and learn about rhythm. Play a music CD or video that comprises of well-known children's songs. Encourage children to sing along to these songs, all while shaking their maracas, hitting their sticks together or ringing their bells. This activity may be ideal for an energizer in the early morning or early afternoon.