Teaching young children can be a challenge. Getting them moving is a great way to assist in their development while engaging their creativity.

Once upon a time, I attended a Jim Gill early childhood workshop and he brought out a giant dance scrunchie. He showed off how he used his scrunchie and it was a lot of fun! Fast forward about 10 years to when I had extra money in my programming budget and my library got our own giant scrunchie. I will admit that giant scrunchies are not necessary to putting on a quality story time. There are many supplies that I would get first (such as books, shakers, and scarves), which is why it took 10 years for me to get one. There is a lot of good that you can do with them, though, in a group environment. The scrunchie that I bought is from Bear Paw Creek. There are various sizes that you can purchase, depending on your needs. I use the XL stretchy band that they say works with 11-14 people, but I can easily fit 25 2-year-olds around it. While it would be possible to make your own, this one is brightly colored and durable. My ideal group to use this with is with kids ages 2-5. I have tried it with the babies (under 24 months) and they like to squish it. They just aren't ready for the movement that this entails. With my 2-year-olds, we used to do Ring Around the Rosie and hold hands in a circle. My kids here don't like to touch so we would end up with a snaky shape, rather than a circle. They will hold the stretchy band though. When looking for songs, I look for ones that use a circle, similar to what I would do when planning parachute activities. Up and down, fast and slow, and colors all work well too. Here are some of my favorites: Ring around the rosie, A pocketful of posies, Ashes, ashes, We all fall down! While the kids work together on their circle, promoting cooperation and following directions, we all know that falling is the best part of this song. London bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London bridge is falling down, My fair lady. Take the keys and lock her (them) up, Lock her up, lock her up. Take the keys and lock her up, My fair lady. This one works best for me if the parents hold the ring up tall while the kids walk around the room. When you get to the second verse, have the parents bring the ring down to trap the kids. You will get a lot of giggles as everybody wants to be trapped. Since the ring is stretchy and there is some give in it, it isn't scary like being trapped. The wheels on the bus go round and round, Round and round, round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round, All through the town. The people on the bus go up and down, Up and down, up and down. The people on the bus go up and down, All through the town. For the first verse, we spin the circle as we walk with the scrunchie. For the second verse, we bring the scrunchie up and down. While there are more verses to the song, my 2-year-olds can't handle more and continue to pay attention. Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush. Here we go round the mulberry bush, So early in the morning. This one is just a spinning circle song with the scrunchie. Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream. Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream. If you see an alligator, Don't forget to scream. For this one, we sit on the floor in a circle and row the giant scrunchie. Since there is some tension in it, we are working the kids' arm and hand muscles. At the end of the second verse, we all do our fake scream. These are some songs to get you started. Which ones work best for you?

Dance/Movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration. Dance Therapy has been used in the treatment of anxiety and attachm…

I love when I find an unexpected treasure (and in the $ bin no less)! This morning I stopped at our local Rite-Aid to stock up on soda (not healthy I know but sometimes that’s what it …

10 fun and hands-on ways to include crossing midline activities for toddlers (ages 1-3).

Building on information given in BrainDance Foundations, participants explore ways of varying the BrainDance. Variations are important as they provide novelty, stimulating new movement ideas that create new neural pathways. We will explore the use of different props, music, dance concepts, folk dances, and relationships. Discover creative ways to keep the BrainDance fun and refreshing […]

Teaching and modifying for scissor skills is absolutely one of my favorite treatment areas in working with pediatrics. Today, I’m excited to share creative tips on helping kids with scissor skills. These ideas work with any type of scissors. From snipping paper to cutting complex shapes, there is a lot to cover! These ideas are ... Read more

Every month we have a dancing day where we play fun games that get the kids moving and grooving. I got the this Dance Game out of an activity book called, Circle Time Activities. It is very simple, but I use it to teach posture, body control, balance, and concentration. Here’s how to play: Have […]

Hello friends! The end of the school year is finally upon us! I just finished inputting my grades for the last 6 weeks! HALLELUJAH! Now I’ve just got to make it through field day, award ceremonies, and all of that fun end-of-the-year stuff. For most teachers, the end of the school year means FREEDOM! But...Read More

DANCING THROUGHOUT THE DAY Part 2: A Circle Time Dance Activity Hello EC Community, As a way to further my pass...

We are crazy about balloons. Our balloon learning games incorporate gross motor, fine motor, visual processing and social-emotional skills while children think they are “just playing”.

Distance Learning and Google Slides Friendly Video Resource. Get your students moving and learning with "Let's Bounce It!" a stretchy band song that helps students develop gross motor skills and get out the "bounces!" The professionally animated video will capture students' attention and have them actively engaged in learning and exercising during music class or a movement activity. The directional words are especially helpful for younger learners- high, fast, slow- or for teaching music dynamics. You’ll find teaching ideas and activity directions to easily implement stretchy band activities into your lessons, activities and curriculum. This activity is best for Preschool through the 3rd grade. * All Videos and Presentation are Easily uploaded and usable in Google Classroom or other Digital Learning Scenarios. Feel Free to email me with questions. [email protected] *Please listen to the preview video for a sample of the audio files. *Stretchy Band Songs and Activities can also be found in the STRETCHY BAND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES RESOURCE. This song WITHOUT the ACTION story video or the TEACHING PRESENTATION is available in that resource. STRETCHY BAND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES CONCEPTS: Creative movement strengthens students’ abilities to CREATE, PERFORM, RESPOND, and CONNECT to learning goals because movement activities ask them to imagine, analyze, and express and: Movement is a natural way for children to respond to music. Movement is how many children learn. Movement makes aural sound more real. Creative movement activities provide opportunities for students to exercise fine and gross motor skills, practice social and team working skills and experience positive exercise! RESOURCE INCLUDES: TEACHING GUIDE Pdf file with activity directions, song lyrics MOVEMENT CARDS and/or POSTERS: PDF file Power point Presentation file with activity directions and movement cards 1 SONG Vocal and Accompaniment Mp3 Tracks 1 ACTION VIDEO Fully animated video for GOOGLE CLASSROOMS and/or classroom projecting. STORYBOOK POWER POINT PRESENTATION of Action Video for teaching each move/activity. RULES SAMPLE OF THE LYRICS: A Let’s bounce it, let’s bounce it, let’s bounce it, bounce it, bounce it! Let’s bounce it up and down. B Bounce it high, bounce it low, bounce it fast, bounce it slow. USE THIS RESOURCE: Teach music concepts For creative music activities To learn music concepts- high/low, fast/slow To learn math shapes and directional words- in/out, under/over, big/little, circle To build classroom community- Teamwork, playing together, sharing, games To develop gross motor skills- Big and little movements to help children exercise. P.E. Class Reward Days Music and Movement Classes WHY MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES ARE IMPORTANT: 1) Provide opportunities to use large muscles to move and play games. 2) Using both hands together in activities. 3) Using arms and legs at the same time. 4) Using Right and Left hands. 5) Developing core stability and trunk rotation. 6) Moving across the midline. 7) Provide social interaction opportunities. 8) Provide opportunities for the brain and body to work together. 9) Provide opportunities to burn off stress. 10) Provide opportunities to gain strength and confidence in the body and promotes an active lifestyle. 11) Promotes balance. 12) Provide opportunities to find joy in moving the body. 13) Provide opportunities to use fine motor muscles. 14) Activities that use only one hand reinforce and strengthen the dominant hand. 15) Using two hands in activities strengthens bilateral integration. 16) Strengthens fingers 17) Provides positive experiences using fine motor muscles. MORE CREATIVE MOVEMENT RESOURCES: Buggy Bean Bag Activities Buggy Movement Activities Buggy Scarf Activities Buggy Stretchy Band Movement Activities Creative Movement Category Link Parachute Activities Move Your Body Activity Video Scarf Activities Bundle Move Your Body Video Movement Activity Bean Bag Activity Songs Nutcracker Creative Movement and Scarf Activities Creative Movement Bundle-Bands, Scarves, Parachutes *********************** ABOUT SING PLAY CREATE LLC. All products and works are copyrighted by Sing Play Create LLC. Buyers may get Free store credit by going to "my purchases" and click on "Provide Feedback". Ratings and helpful feedback are welcomed. Want a Freebie every month?  Subscribe to my Website Newsletter. SING PLAY CREATE NEWSLETTER QUESTIONS? Please use the "Ask a Question" section of my TpT store. Or, you can email me at [email protected] CONNECT WITH ME HERE: Sing Play Create YouTube Channel Sing Play Create Blog Sing Play Create on Instagram Sing Play Create on Facebook Sing Play Create on Pinterest Let's Move and Learn with Music! Sandra #stretchybands #creativemovement

Gross motor active games to help kids learn about colors

Helping mothers build lives they love and trust their instincts throughout every phase of motherhood. Visit mymmomystyle.com for all of the best tips and tricks for moms.

Strengthening a child's tiny hand muscles is important for an array of early learning tasks including cutting, drawing, & ...

Grade 2 Ontario Dance IN-CLASS & DIGITAL BUNDLE Thank you for purchasing this Activity Bundle for Grade 2 Dance with IN-CLASS & DIGITAL OPTIONS (Ontario Curriculum)! IN-CLASS Activities Included: -Elements of Dance Display Cards: Put these up in your classroom so that students remember the different elements of dance they should be focusing on throughout the activities -Short Movement Phrases: (Community, Pathways, Direction, Shapes) -Beginning & Ending Anchor Charts (how to start and end a dance phrase) -Story Reflection (a general template for you to use with any read aloud) -Creature/Animal Movement Cards (a variety of different animals and creatures that students can create movement for!) -Nature Movement Cards (more abstract concepts for students to create movements/dance phrases for) -“Shout Outs” & Performance Reflections (a variety of ways to “shout out” to peers and give structured feedback) -“What If” Reflections (options to do as a class, in groups/partners, or independently) -Types of Dance (12 different types of dance with reading passages and "Dance Passport" for student responses) -“Why Do People Dance?” Anchor Chart -Mini Anchor Chart with start ideas as well as title for larger anchor chart -Final Dance Task (Success Criteria Checklist included) -Dance Reflection Craftivity! DIGITAL Activities Included: There are a variety of activities that you will find in this bundle: -Elements of Dance Display (Display on your Google Classroom or website for a consistent assessment) -Short Movement Phrases: Community, Pathways, Direction, Shapes (Excellent for whole class learning or breakout groups) -Beginning & Ending Anchor Charts -Story Reflection (A general template for you to use with any read aloud) -Creature/Animal Movement Cards (A variety of different animals and creatures that students can create movement for!) -Nature Movement Cards (more abstract concepts for students to create movements/dance phrases for) -“Shout Outs” & Performance Reflections (A variety of ways to “shout out” to peers and give structured feedback) Can be posted to your Google Classroom to encourage other classmates -“What If” Reflections (Options to do as a class, in groups/partners within breakout groups, or independently) -Types of Dance (Reading Passages): 12 different types of dance with reading passages -“Why Do People Dance?” Anchor Chart (Mini Anchor Chart with start ideas as well as title for larger anchor chart) -Final Dance Task (Success Criteria Checklist included) -Dance Reflection Response **Please Note: There a few activities that are similar to the Grade 3 Ontario Dance Activity Bundle. Both curriculums include movement similar to animal so that Animal Movement Task Cards are the SAME in both bundles with different expectations. The Dance Passport & Shout Out reflections are also the SAME but with different reading passages and dance expectations** Thank you & enjoy! :) Grade 1 Dance In-Class Grade 1 Dance DIGITAL Grade 1 Dance IN-CLASS & DIGITAL BUNDLE Grade 2 Dance In-Class Grade 2 Dance DIGITAL Grade 2 Dance IN-CLASS & DIGITAL BUNDLE Grade 3 Dance IN-CLASS Grade 3 Dance DIGITAL Grade 3 Dance IN-CLASS & DIGITAL BUNDLE PRIMARY Dance Bundle Grades 1-3 (IN-CLASS) PRIMARY Dance Bundle Grades 1-3 (DIGITAL) … Coming soon! PRIMARY Dance Bundles Grades 1-3 (IN-CLASS & DIGITAL BUNDLE) Coming soon!

What should you be teaching your dance students? This particular blog series – “5 Skills Your Students Should Know” – was inspired by a question posed in a dance teachers’ group on Facebook a while back: What are the 5 skills that you think are most important for your students to learn? As I’ve written ...

Check out these ideas for preventing the summer slide by practicing the foundation skills kids need most for school! Check out the free printables and more!

Do your dancers ask to play games in dance class or request something "fun"? As hard as I try to keep class engaging and entertaining, man...

"Mom, I'm bored." Before you hear that phrase for the tenth time, get ready for summer by bulking up on your arsenal of summer crafts ideas for kids! We love these fingerprint paintings shared by Megan at Brassy Apple. Her kids pressed their thumbs onto washable stamp pads and used those prints as faces for creative artwork like the scene from the movie "Tangled" (pictured) and "Star Wars." One cute idea is to stamp blue and red thumbprints for each person at a family reunion, and use a pen to add personal details like clothing, glasses and hair. If you stamp the fingerprints before you leave the house, you can even use this craft to occupy kids who are riding in the car for a long summer road trip. Get the thumbprint crafts how-to at Brassy Apple, and then check out our favorite fingerprint crafts for kids.

Elementary music teachers and movement teachers can use scarves for many activities. In this blog post you'll find 12 ways to use scarves in music class.

Are your students ready to get moving? Do they need to enhance their listening and recall skills? Pirate Island is the first in the Hear! Think! Do! Series, all of which build auditory skills and teach kids to listen, make connections, and get moving in fun ways! Pirate Island is an engaging ac...

Art history can seem daunting to teach, but with the right resources, it can become an engaging and enriching subject for your children. Here are two excellent resources that provide free art histo…

Surprise Fathers with a fun secret message this Fathers Day. This Fathers Day Kids Craft would also be a lovely keepsake.

I think one of the biggest challenges when teaching very young children is figuring out where to start! Should you start with body parts? Pathways? Size? Levels? First Position? Maybe just fr…