Movement and Music

Introduction and Importance of Movement and Music in Early Childhood

Early childhood education requires both music and movement to support young children's overall development. Children have higher levels of control and coordination over their bodies as they grow older, and they also learn a variety of different ways to move (Isbell & Yoshizawa, 2016). Music and movement also allow children to express their thoughts and feelings, respond to open-ended scenarios in their own unique ways, and gain confidence in their expressive and physical abilities (Isbell & Yoshizawa, 2016). Including music and movement in the curriculum promotes self-expression and creativity and allows children to freely explore and share their thoughts. Movement and music builds a strong foundation for children's lifelong learning.

Creativity Theories and Perspectives

Isbell and Yoshizawa (2016) outlined bodily kinesthetic intelligence as one of the multiple intelligences. This has involved the ability to connect the mind and body during physical activity and also allows children to express creativity through movement, exploration and problem-solving (Isbell & Yoshizawa, 2016). As mentioned by Isbell and Yoshizawa (2016) all children benefit from physical activity, but for some, it's how they solve their problems. This is evident in real world contexts in early childhood education when children participate in activities. For example a child who struggles counting can use the clapping hand method to count, this enhances cognitive development as well as creative learning. By bringing up movement and music early childhood teachers can promote creativity, problem solving and self-expression while allowing children to engage in meaningful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences (Isbell & Yoshizawa, 2016).

Learning Experiences by Age Group

Three Original Learning Opportunities

Critical Reflection

As a future teacher of early childhood, my own creative abilities are essential to encouraging innovation and creative thinking through music and movement. My passion for physical and rhythmic learning allows me to create engaging activities that attract children. Denis de Marne's famous statement is “ Dance is the oldest form of expression” (David, 2025). In my learning environment I encourage children to move freely and explore through open ended music and movement activities. Due to my ability to adapt, I can change activities according to a variety of developmental stages while guaranteeing inclusion. Also, by using modern technology I can promote interactive learning. My goal is to create an environment where children feel confident to experiment, express, and develop all of their creative skills.