[Linnette Rodriguez]

I like to use “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell when teaching children how to keep their hands safe when playing with others:

“Keep your hands, keep your hands in the middle, in the middle Keep your hands, keep your hands in the middle, in the middle” In the circle game”

I really like this song because it is about self-control and following directions.

[Kathy]

I like to use the song I’m so Happy by the Singing Walrus. It’s an upbeat song and it get the kids moving plus it’s a repetition song too. So whatever action it says to do then the children repeat it. Plus, it’s a great way for the students to get their bodies moving.

[Tammy]

We like to use ribbons with our music. Ribbons are a dowel the ribbons attached to the end. When child moves their arm, it flutters in the air. We do fast songs and slow songs to watch the movement of our ribbons. They love to play anddance wth the ribbons.

[Jennifer Hollandsworth]

One of my favorite songs and movement to do with preschoolers is Jump Jim Joe. It is slow enough for children to learn to control their movements yet incorporates friendship building skills by changing partners.

[Angelica Torres]

My kids love to dance the Goldfish, and enjoy the regional Mexican music as well.

[Sylvia]

I use music or songs to teach swimming, for example <font color=”rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)” face=”inherit”>to teach basic front crawl stage 1, I use a song I made up:</font><div>

Big Round Arms

” Big round arms,

big round arms,

see how they turn,

around and around

and around they go,

big round arms”

The song makes the children aware that their arms need to be stretched out and make big round turns in order to perform basic front crawl stage 1.

</div>

[Eric]

I like to use the songs, “Going on a Lion Hunt and Going on a Bear Hunt. The children act like they cannot hear it and act it out enough. The melody engages them, and they have to move as the words direct them.

[Eric]

Music is a great tool for teaching a child to clean up after an activity or free play. Music also helps a child learn how to introduce herself, meet and grow in friendship with a peer.

[Emily K]

So far in the forest classroom, I have used movement songs to gain the children’s attention to lead into our final discussion for the day. I tend to use the song that goes “Do as I’m doing, follow follow me. I can do it high or low, I can do it fast and slow.”

[Nicole]

I have brought my guitar and we create a song together. We shout out words and write them on a board and as we sing we pick songs from the list. Everyone shouts and sings togethers. I also let every child strum my guitar so that can tell their families they played guitar.

[Grace]

We use music during morning circle time. Their favorite song to sing and dance to (while using instruments) is Hot Potato!

[Maysun Verley]

I have implemented dance parties with all of my classes as a reward and/or way to get energy out during some of our tougher transition times. Some of my favorite song options you can find on YouTube are the Kiboomers, Noodle and Friends, and Laurie Berkner (my personal favorite is, “The Goldfish”). Another movement game I like to do is, “animal stretching” where I call out a different animal and they move across the room doing the movements and sounds of that animal.

[Rimi]

Music is a great tool for preschoolers. I always use music and movement during the circle time and after finishing a learning activity.This helps the children to energize and be ready for the next activity.

[Amelie]

Right before lunch, during second morning circle, we usually sing a song corresponding to the sound of the week. For instance, if the letter of the week is “T”, we might learn “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. We also adapt the songs along with the holidays. Moreover, I try to include some kind of gesture, such as Sign Language.

[Marnie mccabe]

I love to use music in my classroom it helps relax it’s helps to open up, it helps to be creative and have fun