Learning Through Dance
Great dance songs for under-fives, as recommended by educators.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Dancing comes naturally to under-fives.
Babies are tuned in to sound and rhythm, and although toddlers start with basic bobbing up and down when they hear a fun song, they soon add side-to-side and round-and-round movement to the mix.
As they grow and develop, children expand their repertoire with clapping, waving, marching, twirling and other signature moves, and all of this creative action is great for their learning and development.
Raising Children says dancing helps to build confidence, encourage imagination and practise a variety of social, emotional and physical skills, and in the early learning environment, dancing is a key part of the curriculum.
Educators encourage spontaneous and choreographed dancing, and although every service puts its own spin on things, here are three places where children learn through play(lists):
1. Ashgrove Memorial Kindergarten Inc.
Children dance to loads of different songs at this excellent Brisbane kindy, and one that always gets a giggle is ‘Get Ready to Freeze’ from the Jingle Jam: Move and Groove CD.
Co-Director, Lisa Cranny says, “The children love this one as they can sing and dance and freeze in a pose of their choice. We always have a laugh at how everyone chooses to pose!”
“This tune promotes physical regulation of movements, by moving, suddenly stopping and then starting up again, with children listening to the music cues to inform their movements.”
Groups also love the silly actions of ‘Singing in the Rain.’
Lisa says, “We play a grooved-up version where the children have to co-ordinate both sides of their body to combine body movements. They add on one more movement each time the song is repeated.”
‘My Lovely Lycra’ is another popular song that has educational upsides.
Lisa says, “This song and its movements helps everyone to work as a team and promotes strengthening of the children’s upper body muscles. It’s also a lot of fun!”
“Children can use their proprioceptive (body awareness) senses to control how high they lift the lycra, and how strong their arms need to be to work in with their peers.”
“There are a lot of laughs when an extra beanbag resource is added to bounce on the lycra, and control is needed by everyone to keep it bouncing in the middle. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, and that’s funny and ok.”
2. Sparkways Early Learning Centres
‘Baby Shark’ is a big hit at Sparkways’ five Victorian early learning services, and the fun actions and easy repetition are great for children’s development.
Sparkways’ Operations Manager, Amy Carr, says, “Repetition is really important to help children with their physical coordination and language skills, and ‘Baby Shark’ sets a great pattern for movement and song.”
“Children practise their social skills as they dance and sing together. They feel part of a group, which is really helpful for their wellbeing, and we know that with every dance move, they’re building skills for life.”
“Our children also love ‘Let It Go,’ ‘Taba Naba’ and many other shark-free dance tracks!”
3. Eagleby Kids Early Learning Centre
There are a lot of Māori whānau (families) in this childcare community, and as part of the centre’s Māori learning program, groups move along to this classic Māori action song during transition time:
Wiri wiri wiri wiri
Pao Pao Pao Pao
Huri huri huri huri
Me te pakipaki e
Kiko kiko kiko kiko
Rapi rapi rapi rapi
Kaua e turituri
Kaua e turituri
Me te pakipaki e!
Centre Manager, Jamie Hopewell says, “Our Māori educators grew up knowing this song, and we share it with all of the tamariki (children) at Eagleby Kids ELC. They love singing the words and doing the actions.”
“Tamariki practise their fine motor skills and coordination as they do the hand movements, and they learn about Māori language and culture as they go.”
“During our daily Yarning Circle, we also move along to two Māori songs called ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Here Is The Land,’ and we do a lot of dancing to ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and ‘Sleeping Bunnies,’ too.”
Of course, dancing isn’t just for daycare!
It’s tons of fun to boogie with your bambino, and whether you’ve got two left feet or Justin Timberlake’s beat, a few kid-approved dance tracks will set the tone for action-based early learning at home.
Simply sort your playlist, clear some floorspace and bust a move (or two)!
