Choose music that has a theme, or a children's song on a particular subject, for your activity plan. Classical composers such as Saint-Saens and Mussorgsky used animal themes in their music. Or you may want to pick a general theme, such as songs about food, family or nature. By choosing a theme, you will easily be able to organize an accompanying activity that will keep the children interested.
Introduce the theme of the music by discussing the subject. For example, if you are using Saint-Saens' "Carnival of Animals," ask the children what their favorite animal is. Ask the children to think about what animals they see as they close their eyes to listen to the music. If it is not too complicated, see if the children can pick out what sort of instruments they hear in the music and if there are singers.
Preschoolers connect more to the music as they move or sway to the beat. If you choose the animal theme, for example, have the children move around the room to the music as if they are animals . Another idea is to choreograph a simple dance that the children can easily learn. Hand them small percussion instruments such as small drums, shakers or a triangle. Teach them how to hear the rhythm in the music and have them clap their hands or stomp their feet to that rhythm. While listening to Mussorgsky's "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks," preschoolers can walk around the room like baby chicks.
Pick some special crafts and hands-on activities that can extend the theme of the music. If the theme is food, cook a simple snack with the children. If the theme is animals, have them work on an arts and crafts activity about animals, such as paper bag puppets with elephant faces. Are you playing them songs about families? Have the children bring in photographs about their families and discuss each member.