Have you ever heard music and started to dance?
Maybe your feet started tapping.
Maybe you clapped your hands.
Maybe you wiggled, jumped, or spun around!
Music can make us want to move.
But why?
Let's listen, play, and discover how music and our bodies work together.
Your Ears Hear Music
When someone sings or plays an instrument, the sound travels through the air.
Your ears catch the sound.
Then your brain helps you understand what you hear.
You might hear a drum go:
Boom, boom!
A shaker might sound like:
Shhh, shhh!
A piano can play high notes and low notes.
Your ears are busy listening!
Can You Find the Beat?
Many songs have a beat.
A beat is a steady pulse in music.
Try this:
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Tap your knees.
Now clap your hands.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
Can you keep the beat going?
You can also tap your toes or march your feet.
Music gives your body lots of ways to follow the beat.
Fast or Slow?
Music can be fast.
Music can also be slow.
When music is fast, pretend you are a little rabbit.
Hop, hop, hop!
When music is slow, pretend you are a turtle.
Step... step... step.
Now imagine the music changes.
Fast!
Then slow!
Can you change your movements too?
Listen carefully and let your body follow the music.
Meet the Instruments
Music can come from many different instruments.
A drum can go:
Boom!
A shaker can go:
Shhh!
A triangle can go:
Ting!
A xylophone can make many different notes.
A piano can play high sounds and low sounds.
Which instrument would you like to try?
Remember to play instruments gently and safely.
Loud or Quiet?
Music can be loud.
It can also be quiet.
Try a little listening game.
Clap softly.
clap
Now clap louder.
CLAP!
Can you hear the difference?
Your ears can notice when sounds become louder or quieter.
Listen to a song.
Can you find a quiet part?
Can you find a louder part?
Dance Like an Animal!
Now let's use music and imagination.
When the music plays, pretend to be an animal.
Flap like a butterfly.
Waddle like a penguin.
Hop like a frog.
Stomp like an elephant.
Can you change animals when the music changes?
Music can make your imagination move too!
Make Your Own Rhythm
You can make music too!
Try this:
Clap, clap, tap.
Again!
Clap, clap, tap.
Now make your own rhythm.
Try:
Tap, clap, tap.
Can someone copy you?
Then let them make a rhythm for you.
You are making music together!
Play the Freeze Game
Here's a fun music game!
When the music plays, move.
Clap.
March.
Wiggle.
Dance.
Then stop the music.
FREEZE!
Can you stand still?
When the music starts again, move again.
Remember to leave enough space around you so everyone can move safely.
Music Is Fun!
Music has beats.
It has sounds.
It can be fast or slow.
It can be loud or quiet.
You can listen to it.
You can sing it.
You can clap it.
You can dance to it.
You can even make your own rhythm.
So the next time you hear music, listen closely.
Can you find the beat?
Can you hear an instrument?
Can you move with the music?
Listen. Clap. Move. Create!
That's the fun of music.
Your Music Challenge
Choose a favorite song.
Can you:
- Clap along with the beat?
- Tap your toes?
- Move slowly when the music is slow?
- Move faster when the music speeds up?
- Freeze when the music stops?
Then make up one silly dance move of your own!
Great Job!
You reached the end of today's learning adventure!
