Your Child Will Learn
To enjoy dancing, and to begin to connect the rhythm of music to body movement
Here’s What to Do
- Turn on some music. Dance for me and match the rhythm of the music (don’t worry if you’re not a confident dancer, clapping or stomping to the beat counts!).
- Invite me to “dance” with you and encourage me to imitate you. If I can’t stand on my own yet, I can dance while sitting or while you’re holding me.
- Help me move to the rhythm- bounce or rock me to the beat of the music while carrying me or when I’m in your lap.
- Play movement games to songs you like that have a simple catchy rhythm.. Pause during the song to see if I keep dancing to the rhythm.
Put PEER Into Action
PAUSE
- Help me stretch my arms high and low.
ENGAGE
- “Dance with me! Can you clap your hands like this?”
- “Let me pick you up and we’ll sway to the beat. Back and forth, back and forth.”
ENCOURAGE
- If I don’t copy you dancing to the rhythm but I’m having fun, let me continue moving in my own way.
- Encourage me by clapping and cheering for me, and dancing along with me.
REFLECT
- Was I having fun dancing? Did I try to copy any of your moves or rhythms?
Not Quite Ready
Continue playing music with different rhythms and dancing with me.
Ready for More
Use spoons, rattles, and bells to make rhythms along with familiar songs.
As Your Child Masters This Skill
They will dance along to music and move differently to different types of music.
Time to Complete
15 minutes
Materials Needed
A way to play music