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Turn the music on and limber up!
Get your little ones moving with some dance-related games like musical bumps and musical statues.
A boogie is also a great way to energise everyone at home. They can join in with the dancing or from the comfort of their chair or sofa, like the families in the video below.
Developmental benefits of dancing for young children
- Playing games like musical statues and musical bumps is a great way to develop children's listening skills and attention.
- Explaining the rule to these games helps them learn to follow simple instructions.
- Dancing together helps you and your child stay active and let off some steam.
- Copying dance moves and moving in time to the rhythm helps develop physical coordination.
- You can use dance as a way to help your child develop their emotional understanding.
How to play musical statues
Put on a song your child loves. Encourage them to dance to the music.
Tell them they need to be a statue and be still when the music stops.
Pause the music and see if they can stay super still. Praise them and encourage them when they get it right.
If you're in a group, the last one to stop moving is out of the game - keep going until there's a winner.
How to play musical bumps
Put on a song your child loves. Encourage them to dance to the music.
Encourage them to sit down when the music stops. Make sure they know to do this gently and try not to hurt themselves!
Pause the music and see who is the first to sit down. First one is the winner!
If you're in a group, the last person to sit down is out of the game - keep going until the last person still in is the winner.
Other dance game ideas
- You could try playing a game of Simon Says. Can they do some different dance moves, but only the one 'Simon says' to do!
- It might be a good chance to pretend play as animals - how would different animals dance? Try encouraging them to try different animal themed dance moves.
- In a larger group, you could try a variation of a music-stopping game where you shout out a number when the music stops and the children need to gather together in numbers of that group size.
- It might be a great chance to explore your child's feelings through dance.
Image caption, Games like musical statues or musical bumps are great for your little one's coordination and listening skills.
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Exploring feelings through dance and play. video
A film showing parents how dance and play can teach their child about expressing their feelings.
