As we have been exploring movement by setting up safe environments that support gross motor development, we’ve noticed how much our Shale friends also enjoy learning and exploring their own body movement through song and dance. Big body movement has been a big interest for our friends these past weeks and by us adding a musical touch, they seem to be really flourishing. By singing something as simple as “dancing, dancing, turn around” or ‘wind that bobbin up” to playing their favourite songs *“Listen and Move” or *“Freeze Dance”, it gets them excited and moving along to the beat with big body movement. As Shale friends dance along with these movement songs, fine and gross motor skills are strengthened as well as cognitive memory development.
In the PPP, The Alberta Curriculum Framework; it discusses the importance of young children’s physical health. At play, young children’s physical health is supported as they are given opportunities to explore their bodies and movement through participation in a variety of physical activities, indoor and out. It increases bodily awareness, control strength, agility, and large motor coordination. They develop spatial awareness, they test their limits, as well as release and restore an endless amount of energy.
Along with the growing interest in body movement, our Shale friends have been able to enjoy and explore our outdoor space. The spring weather has brought with it an opportunity for our friends to finally be able to engage and climb around the play space without the limits of large, bulky snow suits! Through active engagement, both indoors and out, our Shale friends are showing us their physical capacities.
“Listen and Move”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j24_xH5uvdA
“Freeze Dance”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UcZWXvgMZE
“Wind that Bobbin Up”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg4WZvAXF5s
To learn more of our morning gathering and gross motor songs we use in Shale, please feel free to ask and we can provide you with lyrics!
Have a great weekend!
Young, Cassi, Emily and Sarah
