There are many musical activities that involve movement and dance. These activities help teach children about their bodies and promote body awareness. Use props, such as ribbon streamers, scarves, bean bags or hand puppets. The freeze-in-place dance is a popular movement activity that also promotes listening skills. Do creative movement exercises where children can use their imaginations; for example, dance to a song that asks children to move like an animal. Encourage many types of movements, including walking, running, hopping, dancing, skating, sliding and galloping. Dance or move to songs that require coordinated movements.
Music goes well with other creative disciplines, including art. Play a selection of music and ask children to draw along with the music. Do this activity with a variety of artistic mediums, including sidewalk chalk (for an outdoor activity), paint and crayons. Teach children a song about the seasons followed by an art activity that involves decorating the room with pictures of the seasons. Make your own instruments and create a classroom band.
Instruments are fun for children, and using a variety of them exposes children to different sounds and allows them to create music. Use instruments for movement activities or during groups. Improve impulse control and listening skills by asking children to play their instruments only at a particular time during a song. Improvise on instruments, such as xylophones and drums. Ask children to play a steady beat along with favorite songs.
For preschool classes, sing a hello and goodbye song at the beginning and end of each class. Encourage children to come up with their own ideas or suggest favorite songs to use in class. Use a format for each class and repeat activities often; children thrive on repetition and will learn the structure. Use a mix of live music (guitars and keyboards work well for accompanying instruments) and recorded music for classroom activities.