Are you on the hunt for songs to get your toddler or preschooler moving and grooving?
Music and dancing go hand in hand. Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from music and movement.
I wanted to round up the best movement songs for preschoolers and toddlers that will get them moving!
Why Movement is Important for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Children naturally have a love for both music and dancing. Movement is important for children because it helps them develop their gross motor skills.
Dancing allows children to discover some limits of their body and obtain better balance and coordination. A good sense of bodily awareness cam help to promote confidence and independence.
Music and Movement Play
Music and movement play is not only fun for children, but vital to their development. Music and movement play are activities that promote physical activity while listening to music, playing music or singing.
Lots of preschool programs have some sort of music and movement play because of the benefits!
Benefits of Incorporating Music and Movement Into Your Preschooler’s or Toddler’s Routine
So, what exactly are the benefits of incorporating music and movement into your preschooler’s or toddler’s routine?
There are a vast amount of benefits and we will explore them below!
Increased Memory
What is interesting about music is that it stimulates multiple parts of the brain. This type of stimulation is great for memory because it sharpens the executive functions, auditory encoding and attention control.
Language Development
Music has repetition and rhythm, which makes learning the words of a song interesting and fun to children. The different word and music repetitions make learning new words easier.
Music greatly helps children that are bilingual better understand words in their second languages.
Gross Motor Skills
Good music always wants to make me want to dance, and the same goes for children! Little ones love dancing and dancing is great for gross motor skill development.
I try to pick a good mix of songs that have directions for little ones to dance to (like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes) and songs that allow for more free dance.
Attention Span
If your little ones need to get their wiggles out in order to focus listening to music is a great idea.
Music allows children’s brains to multitask because we listen and experience simultaneously. This multitasking is a valuable skill to have as they get older and increases attention span.
Coordination
Coordination is a direct result of exposure to gross motor skill development. When children dance and groove, they are learning how to move their bodies and what their physical limitations are.
Self Expression
Self expression is important at any age, and great to start young. It’s interesting what music and movement will bring out in children.
I love to see how they dance and what songs they gravitate more towards.
How To Use Music and Movement To Encourage Development in Preschoolers and Toddlers
Okay, so now we know that music and movement has lots of benefits for preschoolers and toddlers, but how can we use it?
Let’s discuss below!
Play Instruments
Playing instruments is a great way for children to not only learn to play music but also do a bit of self discovery.
Playing instruments requires fine motor skills and concentration, which are great for little ones to develop.
Introduce Various Types of Music
Introducing different types of music is a great way to
Encourage Independent Discovery
It’s so important and interesting to watch little ones discover who they are and were made to be. Music and movement helps with that.
Listening to music and moving helps children to discover what they like and encourages a journey of self discovery.
Share Educational Songs
Listening to music is a great way for children to learn various different things! There are songs out there to learn all kinds of things, like the books of the Bible or all 50 states!
Encourage Families
Help children get more movement and music by encouraging families to participate at home. Something you can do is share this blog with families so that caregivers have ideas too!
The Best Movement Songs For Preschoolers and Toddlers That’ll Get Your Kiddo Moving
The best movement songs for preschoolers and toddlers are listed below in sections depending on your needs! I hope that this list helps you with ideas!
Lets get dancing!
The Best Movement Songs to Energize Your Preschooler or Toddler
If your preschoolers or toddlers are kind of sleepy and you need to get them dancing, this list is for you!
The Freeze Dance
Sing along & learn with The Kiboomers! The Freeze Dance is THE popular action song that you have heard at every school or birthday party celebration! All the kids have to do is dance when the music plays, and freeze when it stops!
This activity also helps your preschooler develop motor skills, listening skills, and social-emotional skills.
Baby Shark
Baby Shark is probably one of the most popular children’s songs ever! Baby shark gets kids moving, grooving and having a good time!
Ring Around the Rosie
Ring Around the Rosie is a classic children’s song that many generations have grown up singing. This song energizes kiddos and encourages them to work together and then all fall down!
Shake Your Sillies Out
Children will learn the moves to, “Shake Your Sillies Out”. Your kids will have a blast with this silly and fun brain breaks action song!
Shake Your Sillies Out is great for brain breaks, circle time, group activities or those bad weather days when children can’t go outside to play.
The Ants Go Marching
The Ants Go Marching is a super fun children’s song that’s great to practice rhyming and counting! My kids love the Boom, Boom, Boom part because they can stomp their feet and clap their hands!
The Best Educational Movement Songs For Preschoolers and Toddlers
Music and education go hand in hand! Music and movement help to promote memory and these songs are educational and fun!
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Get up and stretch your arms and legs with Noodles & Pals and this perfect music & movement song for circle time, “Head Shoulders Knees And Toes”! Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes.
Hokey Pokey
Hokey Pokey is a fun action, dance song for children. It’s great for brain breaks, indoor recess, morning meeting, group activities and camp songs. Hokey Pokey also teaches body parts, listening skills and following directions.
Old MacDonald
Old MacDonald Had a Farm” is a nursery rhyme about a farmer and the events that take place on his farm that houses a wide variety of animals and livestock. The song is sung with each verse being changed usually at random to a different animal and respective animal noise.
Simon Says
Let’s play the Simon Says game with The Kiboomers! So listen carefully and join along! This action packed song is the perfect activity to do during circle time. What a fabulous way for students to expend their excess energy!
Tooty Ta
Sing along and learn with The Kiboomers preschool songs & nursery rhymes!! Dance along with our super fun action songs for circle time.
The Best Movement Songs That’ll Get Your Preschooler or Toddler Out of Their Seats
Get your preschooler or toddler up and grooving! These songs will get your little one out of their seat and ready to move!
Stomp to the Beat
Toddlers and Preschoolers have fun as they as they follow the fun music and movement song Stomp to the Beat. They stomp their feet, wave their arms and then speed up as the song progresses.
Going on a Bear Hunt
Come on! We’re going on a bear hunt, and don’t forget your binoculars.
This action-packed song is perfect for a brain break during circle time at home or in the classroom. It’s also a great way to introduce prepositions such as over, under, through, and in, and new vocabulary such as grass, mud, river, cave, and binoculars.
By engaging in this creative play, your child will develop motor skills, listening skills, and social-emotional skills. So, come along and join the fun!
Farmer in the Dell
Kids love this familiar tune, and they will be surprised and delighted with the new verses.
Pop Goes the Weasel
“Pop Goes the Weasel” is a favorite song for kids. In this fun version, you will find some surprises. We have many different animals chasing the weasel, but can anyone catch him? … POP!
If You’re Happy and You Know It
Rosita is teaching Elmo and Abby a new song and dance called If You’re Happy and You Know It! It’s like Simon Says but with music! Sing along to this classic nursery rhyme!
The Best Movement Songs For Your Preschooler or Toddler That They Can Do While Sitting
Sometimes you just need your little ones to stay seated but also want them to be able to sing and wiggle! These songs are perfect for that!
The Wheels on the Bus
The Wheels on the Bus is a fun song that all kids enjoy! Bounce along in the bus all over town with this favorite nursery rhyme!
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
It’s time to sing along, learn and dance with the popular nursery rhyme Row Row Row Your Boat. This video emphasizes on learning theories through interactive videos to build creative thinking and intelligence among children.
You can have your kiddos sit at their desk or even make groups of “boats” while they are sitting down!
Itsy Bitsy Spider
Children all over the world absolutely adore Itsy Bitsy Spider, also known as Incy Wincy Spider. In this popular nursery rhyme, a spider climbs up the waterspout, but rain keeps pushing him down.
Who can help Itsy Bitsy? Is he going to succeed?
Mary had a Little Lamb
This song expresses the love and affection between Mary and her cute friend, the Little Lamb. Mary has a Little Lamb is a great song to sing and engage with while sitting down.
Baby Bumblebee
Enjoy the Baby Bumble bee song. It is a fun song about a little girl who hurt a little baby bumble bee.
This is a fun song that can be done while sitting which is great!
The Best Dance Party Songs For Your Preschooler or Toddler
In my experience, toddlers and preschoolers love for dance parties! If you have never had a dance party before bed with your littles, you should!
These songs are perfect for preschooler and toddler dance parties!
The Wiggles: Dance Party
Eat, Sleep, Party, Wiggle! The Wiggles are back with a Party and Play spectacular! Sing and dance along!
ABC Hip Hop Song
The Alphabet Hip-Hop don’t stop! The alphabet hip hop song is great to help little ones learn about letters and words that go along with those letters in a fun rhythm!
It’s Raining Tacos
Let me preface and say that this song is not educational in the least, but the kids love it! I mean, let’s be honest.. who doesn’t like tacos?!
Gummy Bear Song
Kids also love the Gummy Bear song. I don’t know what it is, maybe the silly lyrics or fun beat, but toddlers and preschoolers can’t get enough of this song.
Let’s be honest, I like it too!
Move!
Get ready to MOVE! Move to the left. Move to the right. Wiggle your fingers, raise your arms, turn around, and touch your toes! This TPR song for kids is great for a brain break or to review action verbs and parts of the body.
The Best Movement Songs For Your Preschooler or Toddler That Has Fun Videos
Children love videos, especially if they are fun and engaging. These songs have super fun and cool videos to watch while dancing!
We are the Dinosaurs
Dance and groove like your favorite dinosaur! Your little ones will love pretending that they are a dinosaur with this neat video!
The Stomp Clap Dance Song
Let’s get ready to stomp, clap and dance. Here is a fun new action song for kids. This Stomp Clap and Dance video is a great preschool movement song for any circle time or a brain break activity in the classroom.
Body Bougie
Body Boogie is a great brain breaks action, dance song to make it easy and fun to take a quick energy break. When children take a moment to sing, dance and move then they can return to their academics feeling happy, energized and renewed.
Schools are realizing the significant values of brain breaks in the classroom.
Icky Sticky Bubble Gum
cky Sticky Bubble Gum, a Movement Song for Kids, Preschoolers and Toddlers! Children of all ages love the Icky Sticky Bubble Gum Song. With silly motions preschoolers, kids and toddlers have fun getting their hands “stuck” to different body parts.
Miss Nina is REALLY silly in this song and your children will LOVE being silly with her and the icky sticky bubble gum!
Go Bananas
The Go Bananas Song is a fun camp song with actions! This funny clean song is a great brain break for kids in the classroom or anyone else that likes to dance!
Sing along and follow the actions of the dancing fruit and get ready to go go bananas! Also get ready to mash potatoes, pop some corn, and rock the mullet!
More of The Best Movement Songs For Your Preschooler or Toddler
If you need more movement songs for your preschooler or toddler, I have a few more to share!
Listen and Move
During this song, kiddos listen to the directions and they get to do different movements when they are told. This is a great way to get them up, moving and following directions.
London Bridge is Falling Down
This song is a classic that so many kids have loved. Kiddos love dancing and singing rhyming songs!
I’m A Little Tea Pot
Kids love singing along with this classic, I’m a Little Teapot Short and Stout. Meet a little teapot and her friends in this story song. They learn that everyone is different and has something special to offer.
5 Little Ducks
The 5 Little Ducks song is a super cute song about 5 ducks that disappear from their mama. This song involves counting down which is great for little ones to learn!
Shake and Move
Shake and move children’s song. Wiggle and shake body parts. Learn body parts for kids, toddlers, babies and all children. Eyes, ears, nose and shake, shake, shake fun for children.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Movement Songs For Preschoolers and Toddlers
Do you have any questions about the best movement songs for preschoolers and toddlers? I have answered some common questions below, but feel free to leave any others in the comments!
When should I introduce movement songs to my child?
Movement songs are great to introduce to children as toddlers. Toddlers can actively listen to the music and follow the directions of the music or simply dance to the beat.
I love to watch toddlers listen to movement songs for the first time. Their eyes light up, and they just want to move and dance!
What is the best time of day to do movement songs with my preschooler?
We know that movement songs are great for preschoolers and toddlers, but when is the perfect time to do them?
Circle time in the morning is a great time to do movement songs. Movement songs help to get their sillies and wiggles out.
You can also do these songs after nap time to help wake up the kiddos and get them prepared for an afternoon of learning.
Music and movement is vital to children’s development and self discovery. I love turning on the music and seeing what my little ones do.
What are your favorite movement songs? Let me know in the comments below!
