This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to use large muscles to move and balance own body.
Materials Needed:
- Song “Hoedown” by Aaron Copeland (available online)
Participants: This activity is intended for independent play and adult/child interaction, or 2 or more participants/players.
Directions:
- Listen to the song “Hoedown” together. Ask your children what musical instruments they hear. How does the music make them feel?
- Encourage your children to dance to the music. Maybe they want to gallop like horses, jump, or square dance.
- Listen to other suites and songs by Aaron Copeland, such as “Appalachian Spring” or “Simple Gifts.”
Learn More: Dive in deep to learn about Aaron Copeland. Show your children his image and gather some biographical information from an online search. Make stick horses from cardboard tubes or sticks. Use construction paper or socks to fashion heads. Use yarn for the manes and tails.
