Name of Activity:. Dance Party

Category:. Let's Dance

Props: Radio and music (use different types of music making sure it is suitable for young children.)

Your Role:. Coach and model

Directions: Begin by turning on the music and telling the child to dance any way she or he would like to dance. After the child has gotten used to moving to the music, ask her to dance the way she would dance if she were in a certain place (like on the moon or under the water, etc.) Try to get the child to move as much as possible. Try not to let her do the same movement continuously. Guide her but avoid letting her merely follow your movement.

Goals for You: Your job is to get the child excited about using dance to express her ideas. Use this activity to help her develop locomotive skills and imaginative skills.

Goals for Children: To have fun while learning to use various forms of locomotion and use of space.

Possible Strategy:

What to say: "Today we are going to have a dance party. First, I am going to play some music and I want you to dance any way that you would like to dance….Wow, what a great dancer you are!"

What to do: Help your child use as much space as he wants. Help him understand that he has control over his movements. (She can change direction, stop, go faster, go slower, etc.)

Possible Shaping:

What to say: "Do you feel the different ways your body moves every time we change the way we are dancing?"

What to do: Encourage your child to move differently with each character or place you call out."

Possible Ending:

What to say: "Good job! Next time we are going to make up a special dance using some of the moves you did today."

What to do:

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