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| Let's Face the Music - and Dance! |
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Moving to music is natural for most young children.
As well as being great fun, there are many benefits. Dance encourages
mental and emotional development; enhances motor skills, increases
flexibility and helps develop muscles. It can help intellectual
growth and the development of self-confidence and self-esteem. It
can also help to develop spatial awareness. At the age of three
most children will be too young to have formal dance lessons, but
that does not mean that they can't dance. Any movement to music
can be expressive. If your child is at nursery school they may already
be learning about music and movement, but making it a part of play
at home can be invaluable.
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| Top Tips |
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- Provide a special time each day when your child can move to music
- Encourage your child to move in time to a rhythm: clapping, jumping or hopping
- Try different types of music: classical, jazz, pop, rock, and music from around the world
- You may look for dance or creative movement workshops
for under-5s in your area
- Your child will love dancing and playing with other children
- A little dance before bedtime can be a good way to drain your child's excess energy. Follow it with a soothing story and send them off to sleep.
- Play 'foot waltzing' with your child, as your parents may have played it with you. Your child stands on top of your feet, facing you and you dance to music as they instruct you to move left, right, forward and backwards and faster and slower.
- If you want to really relax, have some fun, and bond with your child, try this: close the curtains, put on some music, pick up some ribbons or scarves and dance
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| Every child is unique and develops at his or her own pace. The information in BBC Parents' Music Room is for information and guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice. |
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