This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to express, understand, and regulate emotions by using large muscles to move and balance their own bodies.
Materials Needed:
- Music player of any variety (phone, CD player, radio, etc.)
Participants: This activity is intended for independent play, adult/child interaction, or 2 or more participants/players.
Directions:
- Inform children that when the music is playing they are to move/dance however the song makes them feel. When the music stops, they need to freeze in place.
- Play various types and tempos of songs - slow, fast, upbeat, happy, and sad.
- After playing, discuss with your child how the music made them feel. Ask if there have been other times they felt those feelings.
Extension: When children start to feel big feelings in other situations, ask them to freeze, take a deep breath, and if able, talk about their feelings. If they are not able to talk about their feelings have them “dance” them.
