Movement Time
Movement time is fun for the children and it comes naturally to them. Many children’s CD’s contain music with lyrics directing the children how to move. Some of our favorites are listed below
The Nursery CD: This comes with the LDS nursery manual. It contains a track about visiting the zoo and moving like the animals. (One leader even made posters of the different animals and hung them around the room to make a “zoo.”) Another track describes toys in a toy box and had the children move like the different toys.
“Clap Your Hands” from the album “NO!” by They Might Be Giants: This song asks kids to clap hands, stomp feet and jump in the air to a bouncing, modern rhythum.
Flight of the Bumblebee: This classic piece is perfect for buzzing around. One variation was to give the kids yellow scarves and have them to pretend to be bumblebees while the song played. To this day it is my kid’s favorite song to listen to while they clean up their toys.
Using the parachute
The parachute is one of the highlights of music makers. It can be used in various ways and the kids always love it. Mostly, we have the kids shake the parachute while an adult tosses balls into the middle. Sometimes we have them do it fast or slow to match the tempo of the music.
Other things the kids enjoy is having parents shake the parachute while they throw the balls onto it. (You will find that the balls hold as much fascination for the children as the parachute does, sometimes more.) Kids also enjoy going under the parachute while parents raise and lower it over their heads.
It is not necessary to stick with any one format, even for the duration of a song. I find it is best to change as needed to suit the interest of the children.
Using Bubbles
Pre-school age children love bubbles. For several years we used bubbles as an introduction to movement time. In the beginning we had two or three parents blow bubbles and later we purchased a bubble blowing machine. While the children chased bubbles, we would sing the following song over and over:
Bubble-Popping Song (to the tune of 10 Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little bubbles. Four little, five little, six little bubbles. Seven little, eight little, nine little bubbles. Ten little bubbles to pop, pop, pop!
Pop, pop, pop, pop those bubbles! Pop, pop, pop, pop those bubbles! Pop, pop, pop, pop those bubbles here at Music Makers!
Note: This song can be modified for bubble popping sessions at Nursery class, Family Home Evening, birthday parties, in the back yard or any other occassion. Simply substitute the words “Music Makers” with the place or event you are currently at.
