Music and Moves from Around the World!
Here's What To Do
Invite your child to listen to music from a different culture and dance together with you.
Play a short clip of music from a different culture. Start moving to the beat and encourage your child to join. Keep movements simple and mimic what you see in the music or dance tradition.
Briefly explain the different music or dances. You can even share videos of people dancing to music from different cultures online.
Repeat with a few other types of music.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Smile warmly and invite your child to stretch their body.
Engage:
- “This is a song from another place! Let’s listen carefully to the sounds. What do you hear?”
- “Can we move our hands or feet like this? Let’s try it together!”
Encourage:
- “You’re moving so well to the music! I love how you’re trying something new.”
- “It’s okay to go slow or do it your way—you’re learning and having fun!”
Reflect:
- “What was your favorite music and dance?”
Not quite ready?
Start by just playing the music and letting your child listen. Ask your child what they hear and invite them to clap or stomp along with the sounds.
Ready for more?
Explore another culture by adding a simple prop, like a scarf for dancing or a drum for tapping along to the beat.
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to identify their own cultural traditions and begin to understand how this may differ for others.