25A Movement and Dance

Participate in movement games and activities (e.g., imitate animal movements in a group activity, dance with classmates, play “Simon Says”, freeze when music stops).

Combine music and movement (e.g., move to the beat of a drum).

Change movement in response to tempo (e.g., moving more slowly when music slows down and more quickly when music speeds up).

Begin to purposely use simple movement patterns as they move to music (e.g., intentionally using dance movements they have learned or made up, dancing to a familiar tune).

Portray emotions through movement (e.g., hanging head and drooping shoulders to portray feeling sad; swinging arms, smiling, and taking big steps to portray feeling happy).

Move in coordination with a partner (e.g., mirroring the movements of a partner, holding hands and moving to rhythmic dance music, swinging partner by linking elbows).

Perform imaginative and unstructured movement activities, such as galloping, twirling in response to music, or dancing with scarves.

Begin to coordinate rhythm and timing in movement activities (e.g., swinging on swings or sharing a teeter-totter).

Move to the beat of music.