Music & Movement for Preschoolers

This was a new program I tried at my library. We’re hosting regular storytimes, but we’re also always looking for ways to try new and different programs for our toddlers and preschoolers. This was a departure from what we’ve done in the past – not a storytime and not a free-for-all dance party either. Music is a popular part of all of our storytimes, so creating a music-focused class for this age group made perfect sense.

How To Begin

When I first began writing a lesson plan for this program, I wasn’t really sure what it was going to look like or what was going to be included. I wanted it to be a little more structured than a dance party, but not too much to break the flow of the music. So, I spent some time searching what other librarians had done and what they found to be most impactful. I combined familiar songs with some new songs that I loved listening to. I also made sure to include some “open” songs with little instruction about how to dance, while others were call and repeat or had directions on what to do next. Both are important and valuable in a program like this.

I also wanted to use some of the instruments and other manipulatives our library has to offer, so I incorporated our shaker eggs, rhythm sticks (not for the faint of heart), and scarves into the program as well. Make a note that handing these out and collecting them does take some time! I also noticed that I had chosen a few artists that I repeated throughout the program, which didn’t bother me this time as it was my first time trying something like this and I liked the songs I had chosen. When we offer this program again, I’ll try to add additional songs and artists to my repertoire.

Results

And speaking of repeating the program, the kids and adults seemed to really like this program – a little different from storytime, but lots of fun! I also want to figure out a way to include some more music from international artists as we have a very diverse population in our area and I think it would be fun to include more diverse music. Overall, once I pulled together the music and gathered my supplies, the program itself went very smoothly and wasn’t difficult to do!

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Music & Movement for Preschoolers

Music & Movement Class

Opening: Say Hello by Greg and Steve (call and repeat)

Song: Wheels on the Bus by Raffi (while seated)
Motions: wheels, wipers, driver, people, horn, babies, parents

Song: Freeze Dance by Joanie Leeds
Notes: Practice listening skills

Song: Airplane Song by The Laurie Berkner Band
Motions: jump, spin, gallop, dance

Song: Let’s Shake by Dan Zanes
Instruments: shaker eggs

Song: Arms Up! by Kimbo Children’s Music
Notes: start song seated

Motions: arms up, arms down, clap, stop
Stand up, reach high, reach low, slap your knees, stop,
Leg up, leg down, stamp your feet, stop,
Eyes closed, eyes open, bend your knees, stop,
Mix them all up

Song: Three Little Birds by Elizabeth Mitchell 
Instruments: rhythm sticks

Song: If You’re Happy and You Know It by Old Town School of Folk Music
Motions: clap your hands, stomp your feet, peekaboo, wiggle your ears, shout Hooray

Song: Bumblebee (Buzz, Buzz) by The Laurie Berkner Band
Manipulative: scarves

Song: I’ve Got Music In Me by Greg and Steve 
Motions: clapping hands, stamping feet, clicking tongue, whistling mouth, snapping fingers, repeat all

Closing: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Kimbo Children’s Music