The 14 Best Movement Songs for Preschool
In need of some movement songs for preschool? We’ve got you covered! I have compiled a list of the 14 best movement songs to help your preschoolers get moving and grooving!
There are so many amazing benefits of music for kids. Here are a couple reasons why song and movement are important for child development.
- Helps with language development
- Enhances listening skills
- Improves gross motor development
- Exercises cognitive skills and development
Children learn best through hands-on activities, so why not use music and dance as a way to help them learn and develop!
14 Amazing Movement Songs for Preschool
Here are the best movement songs for your preschoolers. They are also called action songs as kids have to act out the lyrics to songs.
1. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
This might be the most classic movement song for preschool! Have your kids follow along as they learn to point to their head, shoulders, knees, toes, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose!
2. Baby Shark
This is a famous song that has been gaining traction over the last couple of years. It is so famous that it has over 14 billion views on YouTube! Play the video and have your kids follow along with the catchy tune and movements.
3. Shake Your Sillies Out
I love using this song to give my kids a little break during the day. Sometimes children just need a brain break and this is a great way to help them release some energy to regroup and refocus.
4. If You’re Happy and You Know It
This is a song my teacher used to play for us when I was in preschool! It is a classic movement song that helps children learn to clap, spin, and smile when they are happy! Songs that include emotions are amazing for emotional regulation development.
5. Chicken Dance
This fun song and dance has four simple movements. First, turn your hands into chicken beaks. Second, flap your arms like a duck. Third, shake your tail feathers. Finally, have your kids clap four times!
In between these movements, I like to have the kids either sway back and forth or skip around the room if there is enough space!
6. Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)
This is a great movement song to help improve your child’s balance, coordination, and body awareness. Have your kids follow along as they point, twist, turn around, and balance on one leg!
7. Hop A Little, Jump A Little
This is a lesser-known movement song but that is actually helpful as your children will have to use their active listening skills to follow the directions in the lyrics! The commands change quickly so you may have to play the song a few times before your kids get the hang of it!
8. The Wheels on The Bus
The Wheels on the Bus is a classic action song for preschool! While most children know the lyrics, they may know how to perform the different movements. Follow along with the video and have the children act out and dance to the lyrics!
9. Animals Freeze Dance
This is a great son to help improve your child’s active listening skills. Encourage the children to follow along with the song and act out all the different animals. Once they hear the word “FREEZE!” they must stand as still as possible! They can begin dancing again when the next animal is presented in the song.
10. The Hokey Pokey
This is one of the most classic children’s songs! As children sing and dance along, they learn about body parts and right from left all while improving their balance and coordination.
11. I’m A Little Teapot
This is a great song to help your child get creative as they learn to use their body parts to form a teapot! The rhythm and movements get faster and faster throughout the song which helps get the kids moving and grooving!
12. Where is Thumbkin
Do your kids need a little help learning the names of their fingers? This little tune is a great way to help your children learn which finger is which!
This is also a great fine motor movement song as kids have to independently isolate their fingers!
13. The Cha Cha Slide
Brighten up your preschool classroom by having your kids dance to the cha-cha slide! This is even one of my favorite action songs!
Have your kids follow along as they slide, stomp, jump, and clap along with the song! Kids might need a little extra practice with this one, but it is well worth it!
14. Open, Shut Them
Last but not least we have another Wiggles song! This is a nice calm and relaxing song that children can act out in a sitting position. This is a great song to help children relax and regroup before moving on to the next activity of the day!
I hope you have enjoyed these easy and fun movement songs for preschool! Here are some quiet games for kids that can also be played in the classroom!
Happy playing, singing, and dancing!
