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! University Nevada Cooperative 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 children who are less skilled, 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.