Dancin' and Movin': Can You Dig It?
By Anne Neidinger
Books to Share
Dancing Matilda by Sarah Hager
Do Donkey's Dance? by Melanie Walsh
The Animal Boogie by Debbie Harter
Wiggle by Doreen Cronin
Books to Show or Booktalk
Hilda Must Be Dancing by Karma Wilson
Jamberry by Bruce Degen
One Little Chicken: A Counting Book by David Elliott
Wiggle Giggle Tickle Train by Nora Hilb
Nametag
Ballet Puppets
Precut the ballet finger puppets on cardstock using the patterns provided at the end of this chapter. Cut holes at the bottom for the toddler's fingers. Cut the skirt and pants from tissue paper and help the children glue the clothing at the waists of their ballet dancers. If desired, and with parental permission, apply fingernail polish to the children's nails to represent ballet shoes on their "leg" fingers. Let the children use their puppet as a nametag.
Display
Can You Dig the Music?
Display picture books about songs or that have rhythm. Include a display of instruments. Put some instruments in a small plastic tub for children to use if you would like an interactive display.
Refreshments
Shake Your Pudding
Children can make their own snack by following the instructions for "Shake Your Pudding" from Kids-A-Cookin' at http://www.kidsacookin.ksu.edu/Site.aspx?page=Recipe&Recipe_id=7841. Use small plastic containers, milk, and instant pudding to let the children shake the ingredients into a treat.
Fingerplays
Two Little Dancers
(Adapted by Anne Neidinger. Sing to the tune of "Two Little Blackbirds.")
Two Little Dancers dancing on a stage. (Lock both hands and put palms up to make a stage)
One named Peter. The other named Paige. (Hold up one index finger for Peter and the other index finger for Paige).
Twirl away Peter. Twirl away Paige. (Twirl one index finger on other palm and twirl away behind back)
Twirl back Peter. Twirl back Paige. (Twirl other index finger on other palm and twirl away behind back)
Two Little Dancers dancing on a stage. (Lock both hands and put palms up to make a stage)
One named Peter. The other named Paige. (Hold up one index finger for Peter and the other index finger for Paige).
Leap up Peter. Leap up Paige. (Raise one then the other index finger up high quickly)
Leap down Peter. Leap down Paige. (Lower one then the other index finger down again quickly)
Two Little Dancers dancing on a stage. (Lock both hands and put palms up to make a stage)
One named Peter. The other named Paige. (Hold up one index finger for Peter and the other index finger for Paige).
Give a bow Peter. (Lower one index straight down then up while placing this hand on other palm)
Give a curtsy Paige. (Bend other index finger up then down while placing this hand on other palm)
Thanks for dancing on the stage! (Lock both hands into fist and place on lap)
Dance and Movement Songs
"Can You Dance Hulla-Baloney" adapted by Terry Kluytmans from KIDiddles.com at http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/c065.html.
"List of Dances" by Jim Gill from Jim Gill Makes It Noisy in Boise, Idaho.
Stories to Tell
A Musical Story
(Adapted from "Make a Musical Story" from Disney Family Fun at http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/make-a-musical-story-672866/.
Tell the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs with music. Pass out musical instruments, such as tambourines, maracas, or drums. Ask the children to play their instrument every time they hear the Big Bad Wolf's name and when he says the words "huff" and "puff" in the sentence: "I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house down!"
Crafts
Shakers
Materials
- Small paper plates
- Dried beans and rice
- Stapler
- Ribbon or crepe paper strips
- Crayons
- Stickers (optional)
Directions
Have the children decorate two paper plates using crayons or stickers. Staple the two paper plates together, leaving a small opening to add beans and rice. Give each child a small amount of rice and beans to pour into the opening. Have an adult staple the opening shut. Staple ribbons or crepe paper around the bottom edge as tails and let kids shake their new instrument.
Games and Activities
Freeze Dance
Play music and let the children dance and move. When the music stops, the children "freeze" in place. When the music starts again, the children begin moving again.
Craft Materials
Girl Ballet Dancer Nametag and Puppet Pattern
Printer Friendly PDF Version (166 KB) (Full Page)
Boy Ballet Dancer Nametag and Puppet Pattern
Printer Friendly PDF Version (138 KB) (Full Page)
