1982 was a great year for the world! Not only was it the year I was born it was also the year the world celebrated the first ever International Dance Day. Wikipedia describes International Dance Day as follows:
If you live in a climate similar to my hometown, Edmonton Alberta, the winter season is looonnnngggg. It can feel even longer when the days are too cold for your little ones to go outside and play. Stir crazy doesn't even begin to describe it some days. Kids need to MOVE! Thank goodness for music!
Dance parties have been my saving grace the last few weeks when the temperatures have plumetted leaving us house bound far too often. While structured dance activities can provide lots of learning opportunities, sometimes the best memories and moments come from simply busting a move. Here are some songs that are sure to encourage you and your kids to shake your groove thing!
Song: Party Rock Anthem
Album/Artist: Chipwrecked/ Alivin and the Chipmunks
Where to Buy: iTunes
Toddlers and preschoolers like to go, go, go! Getting them to stop and stay in one play can often be a challenge. Sometimes as parents and teachers we need our little ones to stay put, even if just for a few minutes.
In the Intellidance programs one of the first concepts we explore with our parent/tot and preschool classes are Space and Place. Dance and play are a fun way to reinforce this concept and very useful for developing listening skills in a class setting. Here are some Space and Play activities to try with your 18month-5 year olds:
Halloween is just a week away! Costumes, decorations, candy and trick or treating! Want to add some musical fun to your Halloween celebrations? Here are 3 songs your kids are sure to get your kiddos howling!
Song: Halloween Dance
Artist: Christopher "Zondaflex" Tyler
Where to Buy: iTunes
Why I love it: Mr. Chris is back with a fun Hip Hop Halloween song your kids are sure to love! For any of my readers that are elementary/Jr.High teachers this would be a great song to use for a Halloween Line Dance in your physical education classes (see the video below). The steps could also be modified for preschool aged kids (definitely one I will be pulling out at J'Adore Dance!). Again Mr.Chris takes the Hip Hop beats your kids love but writes lyrical content that is kid/parent friendly (and not too scary!).
There is no doubt that tots love the strong beats and high energy of hip hop and pop music. But are you concerned about the content in a lot of popular music? Not wanting junior to repeat some of the less then "grandma friendly" lyrics at your next family brunch? Here are some of my favourite tot friendly Hip Hop music picks, sure to keep them busting a move AND singing along to without raising any eyebrows.
Song: Hip Hop Exercises
Album: It's Hip Hop Baby: Fruit!
Where to buy: Amazon.ca
My girls have been listening to music while falling sleep since the days they were born (maybe before that is you count the music they heard in the womb!). Music is a big part of our nightly routine. It is a constant that I can pretty much provide no matter the situation. We have traveled across the world, but with my trusty iPod in hand our music comes with us, ensuring peaceful sleep for all in foreign hotel rooms. Maybe it is because I am a worrier, but I have always found it easier to shut my mind off and drift to sleep with music playing. Here are a few of our favorite songs for sleepy time.
Song: In the Land of Dreams
Artist: Kesang Marstrand
Where to Buy: J'Adore Dance, Putumayo Kids
There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o!
B I N G O!
B I N G O!
B I N G O!
And Bingo was his name-o!
Many of us would have grown up singing Bingo. As you read the words above chances are you were singing along in your head. If you know the song you also know that as the song goes on, letters of Bingos name are replaced with claps. But did you know as you are singing in your head or replacing words with claps you are audiating?
Audiation is the process of mentally hearing music, even when no sound is present. i.e., thinking a song in your head, clapping a rhythm pattern from a song while thinking it in your head, doing actions or movements while thinking a song in your head.
Summer brings hours of playing in the sun, frolicking in sprinklers, sticky popsicles fingers, blowing bubbles, and chalking up the neighbourhood sidewalks! But what do you do when the forecast calls for rain for a week? Bring the beach party into the house! Whether you're trying one of the 50 Creative Ideas for Summer Fun or just need to dose to Daily Dance Parties, here are some tunes that will keep the sun shining in your heart.
Song: Wipe Out
Artist: The Ventures
Where to buy: iTunes
