I Move We Move - Good For Kids - NSW Government

Music and movement
Songs and music are always great movement motivators. Children will often move spontaneously
to music, so build it into each day. Movement can be encouraged through the use of action songs,
circle games, musical instruments or singing; and music of different types including jazz, rap,
classical or popular children’s groups on CD or DVD.
Take into account the developmental appropriateness of songs, rhymes and actions used to
encourage movement. There are two age groups for this, children under 3 years old and children
over 3 years old 20 . Here are some examples for both age groups:
Appropriate for children under 3 years
Large arm & hand movements Crossing of midline
Simple repetitive language
I Move We Move, The Guide Edition 1 August 2009
Appropriate for children over 3 years
Note – these are not appropriate for under 3 year olds
Intricate fine finger movements e.g. “Incy,
Wincy Spider”
Short repetitive songs or rhymes with actions Songs that count backwards from 5 or 10
Linking to things that are familiar to them
Songs that use a number of different ideas in
a short space of time e.g. “Head, shoulders,
knees and toes”
Here are some ideas to promote physical activity and movement to music:
• Sing or play music when children are climbing, running, hopping etc. to extend and
encourage participation
• Provide streamers, ribbons and scarves to encourage arm movements
• Pots and pans will encourage arm movements. Have a collection of saucepans, wooden and
metal spoons, plastic bowls, saucepan lids and make a kitchen band
• Put bells on children’s wrists or ankles
See the Physical Activity Handbook – Babies (Table 2, page B.4), the Physical
Activity Handbook – Toddlers (Table 2, page T.3), the Physical Activity Handbook –
Preschoolers (Table 3, page P.6) for more music and movement ideas.
AREA HEALTH SERVICE
4.2