Movement is an important part of early years music education and can help to identify not only potential developmental delays but also future strengths and natural abilities. Movement is also a natural human response to the world. We naturally want to explore, to learn, to dance, to share. To love. And can we do all that through musical movement.
Many dancers’ parents claim, as the ABBA song line says: “Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk”. And the same can be said of singers, singing before they could talk. This isn’t so surprising. From the earliest days, adults have been using singing and dancing to relax and calm little ones, to capture the interest and imagination as children grow older, and ultimately to enchant and inspire as adults.
One of the ways that we can check developmental progress is by using the ASQ3 questionnaire: sets of interview questions that identify developmental milestones, including Communication, Gross Motor Movement, Fine Motor Movement, Problem Solving and Personal Social Skills. This article focusses on using early years music to support the development of Gross Motor Movement.
At 2 months, most children will:
- Wave their arms and legs while lying on their back;
- Raise, move and turn their head side to side
At 6 months, most children will:
- Lean on their hands when sitting on floor;
- Roll from their back to tummy;
- Craw on hands and knees;
- Stand while holding their hands;
- Sit unsupported, and stand while holding onto furniture
At 12 months, most children will:
- Bend/squat to pick things up while holding on;
- Hold on to furniture to lower self;
- Walk beside furniture while holding on;
- Take steps while holding hands;
- Stand up without help
At 18 months, most children will:
- Bend/squat to pick up things;
- Move around by walking with few falls;
- Climbing to reach things;
- Walk downstairs while holding hands;
- Kick a ball by swinging leg
At 24 months, most children will:
- Walk downstairs holding hands;
- Kick a ball by swinging leg;
- Walk upstairs;
- Run without bumping into things;
- Jump up with both feet
At 36 months, most children will:
- Kick a ball without holding on for support;
- Jump up with both feet together;
- Walk upstairs using alternate feet;
- Balance on one foot;
- Throw overhand;
- Jump forward with feet together
At 48 months, most children will:
- Catch a ball with 2 hands;
- Throw overhand;
- Climb playground ladder;
- Hop, jump forward with feet together;
- Balance on one foot
At 60 months, most children will:
- Throw overhand;
- Catch a ball with 2 hands;
- Balance on one foot;
- Tiptoe;
- Skip
All of these activities can be accomplished with a song or piece of music to inspire. Here are a few songs with specific gross motor activity suggestions.
Thula Thul’
Thula thul, thula baba, thula sana,
(Toola tool, toola baba, tool a sana)
Thul’ubab uzobuya, ekuseni.
(Tool-oo-baab, oo-zo-boo-ya e-koo-ze-nee)
Thula thul, thula baba, thula sana,
(Toola tool, toola baba, tool a sana)
Thul’ubab uzobuya, ekuseni.
(Tool-oo-baab, oo-zo-boo-ya ekoo-ze-nee)
There’s a burning star to lead your daddy home
He’ll come from afar, no matter where you roam
Rest your angry heart, my baby, don’t you cry
Soon we’ll see him come beyond the bended sky
This traditional African lullaby is ideal for younger infants, rocking in arms or in blankets, to the relaxing rhythm of the melody.
Twinkle Twinkle
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Then the trav’ller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often thro’ my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
‘Til the sun is in the sky.
‘Tis your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the trav’ller in the dark:
Tho’ I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
This well-known rhyme works really well with ball play. Children sitting opposite each other, roll the ball back and forth, learning how to control how quickly and slowly the ball moves, and how they can control their response. Toddlers can develop their kicking skills, kicking balls high into the air. Older children can practice overhand throwing, launching the ball into the air like stars.
What A Wonderful World
I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and for you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying
“I love you”
I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more
Than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world
This is a lovely modern lullaby could be used with intergenerations: older generations may remember the first time it was played; younger generations will enjoy the colourful imagery of the words. This would be a wonderful song to create an adventure path for, finding objects that remind children of the ideas in the song. Older children may be more challenged to perform dramatic play by using their bodies and limbs to become trees and rainbows.
Movement can be so much more than PE. It can be a source of relief from stressful situations, an escape from fearful situations, and a magical world far away from realities that children cannot control. And combined with music, movement becomes a physical reminder of joy, peace and love.
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Enhanced Fun
Our program uses music as a tool to enhance gross motor development, while also fostering a love of music.
02
Joyful Growth
Our comprehensive curriculum will guide your child through movements set to music, creating a joyful and stimulating environment for them to grow and learn.
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Musical Magic
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