Overview

Preschoolers should engage in 60 minutes of structured play and 60 minutes of outdoor play. Finding structured activities that can be done indoors and in small spaces can be challenging. Music and dance may just be the optimal choice! The University of Nevada, Reno Extension has created some music and dance opportunities that can be downloaded and used as part of a curriculum, as a teacher-led, structured activity or as an activity to break up sedentary time. The music is multi-genre, has healthy messaging related to physical activity and healthy eating, incorporates math, science, music and creativity and other Pre-K standards and teaches children fundamental and perceptual motor skills that help them become active adolescents. Music and dance is fun, it doesn’t exclude less skilled children, it can be done at school or home, with friends or family and it promotes brain development and social interaction. The dances below can be taught using multiple platforms, including audio MP3 with and without instructional voiceover, a dance instructional video, written lyrics and dance instructions, or music videos for practice and family shared entertainment.

Water

View Water Instructional Video
Water Song (audio MP3)
Water Song Instructional (audio MP3)
Water Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

I Am A Seed

I Am a Seed was written and filmed in Mesa, Arizona in partnership with Native American, Tony Duncan. The media project is part of a larger nutrition-garden curriculum developed by UNR Extension in collaboration with Garden Farms to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and teach young children how to grow vegetables in their preschool garden. The yoga-like movements promote mediation and relaxation in children to help them self-regulate emotions such as feeling anxious or sad.

Introduction Narrative (audio MP3)
Dance to Celebrate (audio MP3)
Entire Track (audio MP3)
Movement Section Only (audio MP3)

Boogie Oogie Slide

View Boogie Oogie Slide Instructional Video
Boogie Oogie Slide (audio MP3)
Boogie Oogie Slide Instructional (audio MP3)
Boogie Oogie Slide Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

I've Got Moves

View I've Got Moves Instructional Video
I've Got Moves (audio MP3)
I've Got Moves Instructional (audio MP3)
I've Got Moves Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

Pack It Up

View Pack It Up Instructional Video
Pack It Up (audio MP3)
Pack It Up Instructional (audio MP3)
Pack it Up Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

Supposed to Polka

View Supposed to Polka Instructional Video
Supposed to Polka (audio MP3)
Supposed to Polka Instructional (audio MP3)
Supposed to Polka Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

Ven Conmigo

View Ven Conmigo Instructional Video
Ven Conmigo (audio MP3)
Ven Conmigo Instructional (audio MP3)
Ven Conmigo Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

Yebo, Let's Go

View Yebo, Let's Go Instructional Video
Yebo, Let's Go (audio MP3)
Yebo, Let's Go Instructional (audio MP3)
Yebo Let's Go Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

All 4 Kids Chant

View All 4 Kids Chant Instructional Video
All 4 Kids Chant (audio MP3)
All 4 Kids Chant Lyrics and Credits (PDF)

 
Lindsay, A. 2020, Healthy Kids Resource Center: Music & Dance Section | Healthy Kids Physical Toolkit, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Extension Associated Contacts

Anne R. Lindsay
Anne R. Lindsay
 

Also of Interest:

 
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 Buffington, A., Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-106
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Healthy Kids Resource Center: Policies, Procedures & Partners Section
Find links to Federal and State policies and regulations
 Lindsay, A. and Taylor, S. 2020, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
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Associated Programs

Kids and leader dancing with colored scarves in a classroom

Healthy Kids Resource Center

A one-stop shop for evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention for teachers and parents of young children. It is designed to educate parents and teachers as well as provide the tools needed to teach young children how to live a healthy lifestyle.