Movement
12 articles
Singing and Dancing as Active Play for Babies and Toddlers
Most adults sing and dance with babies and toddlers instinctively -- the bouncing, the "Wheels on the Bus", the impromptu kitchen dance party. What fe...
Singing and Dancing as Active Play
A parent who can hold a tune is no advantage over a parent who can't, when the audience is a 14-month-old. The thing that holds babies' attention isn'...
Shared Dancing as a Way to Build Connection
Dancing with a child needs no skill and no equipment. It happens in the kitchen with the radio on; it happens in the hallway when *Wheels on the Bus*...
Using Movement to Release Tension in Young Children
The toddler who is melting down at 5pm in the kitchen does not need a calm conversation about big feelings. They need to move. Verbal regulation is a...
Movement Games Set to Music for Babies
A grandparent bouncing a baby on her knee while singing *Horsey Horsey* is doing something cross-culturally universal — variants of bouncing songs exi...
Dance Games for Children Aged 1–3
Young children dance. Put on music and watch a toddler respond — the whole body engages. This is not just fun; it is developmentally meaningful moveme...
Active Outdoor Games Without Equipment
A garden, a park, or any open outdoor space is a complete play environment for young children. The equipment marketed for outdoor play — climbing fram...
Play Ideas for Children Aged 12–18 Months Through Movement
The first steps — typically taken between 9 and 15 months — transform the child's relationship to their environment. The walking toddler is newly inde...
Music and Movement in Family Life
You do not need a music class, a Bluetooth speaker, or any musical talent to make this work. A parent humming the same goofy song every morning while...
Whether Montessori Daycare Is Suitable for Active Children
A common misconception about Montessori is that it requires sitting quietly and concentrating. Parents of highly active children sometimes assume Mont...
Physical Activity for Young Children: How Much, What Kind, and Why It Matters
Physical activity guidance for young children is sometimes presented in a way that makes parents feel like they should be managing a training programm...
Physical Activity for Children: How Much, Why It Matters, and How to Make It Happen
The evidence for physical activity as one of the most effective interventions available for children's overall health is overwhelming and consistent....