This activity lets preschoolers and toddlers use up excess energy while learning to identify various body parts. Play lively music and instruct the children to dance as long as the music is playing. When you stop the music, call out a part of the body. When the music stops, the children must "freeze" in place and touch that part of their bodies. Once the music starts again, they can resume dancing.
This song is a movement activity that helps preschoolers and toddlers to practice following directions. This also serves as a good activity for greeting each other at the beginning of the day. Sing the lyrics, "Shake a hand, oh shake a hand, shake a hand, shake a hand; Shake a hand, oh shake a hand, shake a hand with me." Use the melody, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The children must shake each other's hands as you sing the song. Follow with other verses such as, "Pat a back," "Tap a knee" and "Give a smile."
This activity gets preschoolers and toddlers up and moving and gives them a chance to be the leader and one of the followers. Choose one child to stand at the front of the class. Play some upbeat music and instruct the child to perform some type of rhythmic activity, such as a hand clap, a foot stomp or a simple dance move. The rest of the class must mimic this activity. After about a minute, have the child choose the next person to come to the front and assume the position as leader.
This musical activity gives children the chance to play instruments and follow a steady beat. Give a simple rhythm instrument to each student. You can use drums, maracas, tambourines, shakers and rhythm sticks. Have the preschoolers and toddlers line up. Play a marching song in the background and have the students march as they play their instruments. You can vary the activity by directing the children to play louder, quieter, faster or slower.