Question

Are there any music and movement activities that you use in your own classroom; for instance, The Hokey Pokey?

Answer 1

Starting with hearing the heartbeat in the mothers' womb, children have an innate awareness of the position and movement of the parts of the body using sensory organs that enables the child to move to beats and rhythms. As children grow up their interaction with music and movement progresses from rocking and clapping along with music to more advanced interaction like synchronizing movements with rhythm, singing moving with a group. Teachers of young learners often use songs and movement in the classroom. Teachers also use movement to help their young learners to develop strategies to address problems in their attention and behavior. It's no wonder that early exposure to music, dance and other activities has been found to have great benefits in the development of children's language, cognitive and social skills. Early exposure to music has been shown to improve comprehension of the words of instruction as well as to enhance the speed with which children learn. This kind of optimal cognitive development was most pronounced when children were actively moving during their lessons and practicing their movements. Teachers need to promote movement in the classroom, enhance the awareness of movement to and from the body, and increase the opportunities for movement and practicing the skills and performing the activities associated with it in the classroom.