Movement songs are one of my favorite ways to engage kids. The right movement song can give children an opportunity to regulate their sensory systems so they’re better prepared for learning, listening, engaging with their peers, and working on their goals.
How do I select the right movement song? I guide my decision by taking a sensory-based approach — by taking into account the child’s sensory needs first. If I’m working individually with a child, then I asses the child’s current state and I ask myself “Is this child seeking sensory stimuli or is this child avoiding it?” and “What kind of song might this child need right now?
For groups, I am guided by the same approach, making sure that the music has the right kind of flow for the children's sensory systems, also taking their attention level into account.
With all of these sensory needs in mind, movement songs can be fun but also an important source of support for children.
Here are 3 types of movement songs we can use with kids:
Active- energetic & silly with big movements
Transitional- smaller movements or sitting, medium tempo
Cool down- stretching, breathing, quiet, slow and calm
Active Movement Songs
Active movement songs are those that we use to actively engage children by having them up, dancing & having a lot of fun during music time. These songs have the potential to bring the arousal level up. One of my favorite active movement songs is “Move it, Move it".”
Transitional Movement Songs
After you play an active movement song, let their wiggles out, a transitional movement song can bring their arousal level down. Transitional movement songs are key for classroom regulation (a.k.a. “crowd control”) and keeping kids on task. An example of a transitional movement song is “Move to the Beat” (The sitting movement song!).
Cool Down Movement Songs
Cool down movement songs can help kids pay attention and focus more during music time. “Breathe”, which you can download the chords + lyrics for FREE here, is a meditation-type song that focuses on sighing (you can hear the sighs in the music) and it’s meant for self-regulation.
FREE Download: “Just Dance”, an active movement song
This is one of my absolute favorite active movement songs and probably the very top favorite movement songs of my students.
🎵 DOWNLOAD THE CHORDS AND LYRICS OF THE SONG HERE ↓
If you like to go more in-depth on this topic, I go over these three types of movement songs, share examples of songs you can use, and WHEN to use them during your music class or session in this video:
