Dance Steps

Prepare paper footprints, numbered from 1-10. Place the footprints on the floor, using masking tape. Encourage the children to walk, jump, leap, dance (etc) on the footprints, starting on numeral one and continuing in the correct sequence.

Creative Musical Painting

Provide children's or classical music with headphones for the children to listen to at the easel. They can use the music to help them express creativity through painting.

Creative Field Trip

Take a field trip to a dance studio, a health club or a gymnasium. Let the children observe and discuss the different ways that people are creatively moving. If possible, find a creative movement activity for the children to participate in on the visit.
Here are some pictures of a field trip we took to Little Gym. We also really enjoyed visiting a dance studio for a field trip on another occasion.

Orange Buttermilk Smoothie

Blend 1 quart of buttermilk, 3 cups of orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 cup of honey together in a blender until smooth. Enjoy!

Dance Studio Drama

Set up a dance studio for the children to pretend play. Include items, such as: tap shoes, tutus, ballet shoes, leotards, tights, hats, balance beams, other props, music in some form (cd player or radio) for the children to operate, mirrors, pictures of different types of dancing, etc.

Here is a cute video of my daughter dancing in her dress ups. She is too cute and I just couldn't resist sharing.

Streamer Movement

Provide streamers for the children. Play a variety of music and allow the children to move their bodies and their streamers to the different rhythms.

Creative Movement Journal Page

Read a book about creative movement then hand out a journal sheet with this question on it: "How do you feel when you are dancing or moving in other creative ways?" Record the children's responses and let them draw a picture to go along with their response.

Click on the image to view and/or print.

Partners (Chant)

Chant this little rhyme together as you dance out the actions:

Pick a partner, take a hand.
Then in a circle partners stand.
Take two steps forward, & two steps back.
Then bow to your partner & clap, clap, clap.
Wrap your elbows & around you go.
Not too fast & not too slow.
Change elbows. Go around again.
Then stand in a circle & count to ten.

Creative Senses

Place s substance in the sensory table (rice, sand, water, etc.) Allow the children to explore the substance with their hands as they listen to music in the background. Encourage them to be creative and to share their insights (what it feels like, looks like, sounds like, smells like, etc.).

Ballon Bounce

Blow up balloons for the children to use. While playing music, encourage the children to bounce the balloons high in the air. When the music stops, let the balloons float to the ground. **Supervision is important for this activity. Immediately remove any broken balloon pieces and be sure to explain to the children that it is important to keep balloons away from their mouths.

Exploring Dancing Shoes

Place various types of dancing shoes at the science table. Let the children compare the shape, size, color and texture of the shoes. Explain to them how each pair of shoes is used in different types of dancing. Allow the children to try the shoes on for size and to try dancing in them.

Social Dancing

Read a book or talk about how dancing together is a pleasant way to get to know people and enjoy other peoples company. Let each child choose a partner. Encourage them to join hands. Play music and allow the partners to move together and enjoy each other. Switch partners too.

Creative Movement Lesson Plan

Click on the image to view and/or print.