When Katy was 2, we watched a show called Oobi. The little characters were actually puppets- peoples' hands with little eyeballs, and the hands made the mouth movements. One day the characters had a "dance party." It was very cute to see all the characters let loose and dance around. Katy and I danced too- and we had a blast. (Note- this doesn't mean that you only dance around when the TV is on!!! :)
When was the last time you had a dance party? In our Kindermusik classes, we dance all the time, and it's so much fun to see the kids ( and the grownups) express themselves in movement. To quote Martha Graham, one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century, "The body says what words cannot".
Music connects our souls, our spirits, to something unearthly-something divine. Whether it's a waltz or a mosh pit, when our bodies move, our souls speak in their own unique way. Can't dance, you say? I don't believe you. I've seen parents who are shy and quiet lift their babies high up in the air and smile, twirling them around with joy. Dance doesn't have to be something you "do" or do well. It's how you move with your kid in your living room, like I did with Oobi and the dance party.
And you can start dancing with your child as soon as they are born. Rocking and swaying not only provide comfort for your baby, they are "dance moves", too! When you rock with your baby, you're actually helping them with balance and coordination. As your baby grows, try new things, like lifting them hiiiiiiighh up in the air and then loooooooow to the ground. Or twirl all around. Move forward, and then backwards. All of these different, EASY, moves are so beneficial for your baby! As they grow, they will already have a sense of how their body moves around in space.
When your baby learns how to walk, they can now watch YOU move! Jump up and down, wave your arms in the air, turn all around. You will find that your toddler wants to copy you so much! ( not to mention the cuteness factor when they actually DO jump up and down..) If you are enthusiastic about moving around, you are sending your child a message that emotions can be expressed through movement. Happy means jumping all around and dancing! Whoo-hoo! For the child who may have a hard time expressing himself verbally, this is especially crucial. It creates an outlet through which they can express themselves- and we ALL need that.
For the preschooler, movement and dance take on a whole new role- the use of imagination. Can you move like a tiger? How do you think a snowman might dance? Pretend you're dancing in the rain- what does that feel like? When you dance with a preschooler, it's always an adventure- a trip into their special 'pretend world'. Ask lots of questions- they want to show you everything that they know and everything they can do!
Put on the music and have a dance party- your kid will love you for it!
When was the last time you had a dance party? In our Kindermusik classes, we dance all the time, and it's so much fun to see the kids ( and the grownups) express themselves in movement. To quote Martha Graham, one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century, "The body says what words cannot".
Music connects our souls, our spirits, to something unearthly-something divine. Whether it's a waltz or a mosh pit, when our bodies move, our souls speak in their own unique way. Can't dance, you say? I don't believe you. I've seen parents who are shy and quiet lift their babies high up in the air and smile, twirling them around with joy. Dance doesn't have to be something you "do" or do well. It's how you move with your kid in your living room, like I did with Oobi and the dance party.
And you can start dancing with your child as soon as they are born. Rocking and swaying not only provide comfort for your baby, they are "dance moves", too! When you rock with your baby, you're actually helping them with balance and coordination. As your baby grows, try new things, like lifting them hiiiiiiighh up in the air and then loooooooow to the ground. Or twirl all around. Move forward, and then backwards. All of these different, EASY, moves are so beneficial for your baby! As they grow, they will already have a sense of how their body moves around in space.
When your baby learns how to walk, they can now watch YOU move! Jump up and down, wave your arms in the air, turn all around. You will find that your toddler wants to copy you so much! ( not to mention the cuteness factor when they actually DO jump up and down..) If you are enthusiastic about moving around, you are sending your child a message that emotions can be expressed through movement. Happy means jumping all around and dancing! Whoo-hoo! For the child who may have a hard time expressing himself verbally, this is especially crucial. It creates an outlet through which they can express themselves- and we ALL need that.
For the preschooler, movement and dance take on a whole new role- the use of imagination. Can you move like a tiger? How do you think a snowman might dance? Pretend you're dancing in the rain- what does that feel like? When you dance with a preschooler, it's always an adventure- a trip into their special 'pretend world'. Ask lots of questions- they want to show you everything that they know and everything they can do!
Put on the music and have a dance party- your kid will love you for it!
