Action / Movement Songs
Located in 1 route
Action / Movement Songs ask children to move while singing: point, clap, stomp, freeze, wiggle, jump, spin, copy a leader or act out lyrics. The music is usually simple and highly directive because the body is the main instrument. These songs are classroom management, exercise, rhythm training and social play at once. They help children practice listening because the next movement matters.
History
Movement songs come from folk games, circle dances, fingerplays, preschool pedagogy, physical education and children's television. Raffi, The Wiggles, Dr. Jean, The Learning Station, Jack Hartmann, The Kiboomers and Pinkfong turned many into recorded standards. Streaming strengthened the category because video demonstrates motions instantly, allowing songs such as "Baby Shark," "Tony Chestnut" and freeze dances to spread across classrooms and homes.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Preschool movement-song resources
- children's music catalogs
- artist websites
- video-channel catalogs