Sing basic songs to preschoolers, including a mixture of popular songs that they probably know, such as "Old MacDonald," and lesser-known ones that you think they may like, such as ethnic songs or older songs. Singing teaches children rhythm and pitch. You can add to their learning by, for example, raising your arms in the air when the notes are high and lowering them to the floor when the notes are low.
Dance with preschoolers to show them the beat of the music and that you can move your body to music. Have them follow you at first, then choose a child to lead the dancing and everyone can follow him. When preschoolers dance they learn to control their bodies, and they may start moving slowly to slow music and quickly to fast music. Once the preschoolers you're working with are comfortable with dancing, try songs that have specific movements, such as "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."
At the preschool stage, instruments should be basic and allow children to use their imagination. A toy guitar, even without strings, allows children to pretend to play without being restricted by the artificial sounds made by some toys. Choose toy drums and child-size keyboards and let the children play as they choose. Or use homemade instruments, such as old pots or pans, tin-foil pie plates, or coffee cans filled with dried rice or beans. Let preschool children play their instruments however they choose.
Introduce games to go with the music so the preschoolers begin to understand the character of the music. Have the children walk quickly on their tiptoes when the music is soft and light, and stomp heavily around when the music is slower. Or play a song, stop it periodically and have the children "freeze." Ask them how the songs make them feel, and have them draw pictures about the music without telling them the names of the songs.