Music and Movement: Exploring physical play through song

Guest writer and clinical specialist Clara who is part of the Sing&Grow team in Victoria shares some fun ways to get moving with music this physical play month. 

Have you ever noticed how music compels little people to move their bodies? Maybe you love to have a dance yourself, or you’ve noticed how music can lift your spirits and get you moving. That’s no coincidence, music activates multiple areas of the brain, including those responsible for motor coordination, emotional regulation, and memory.

When we’re enjoying music, our reward systems light up, keeping us motivated to move and helping build confidence too. Research shows that rhythmic movement to music improves coordination, motor efficiency, and body awareness in children. It’s a beautiful blend of joy and learning.

Movement & Music Activities to Try

Here are some playful ideas to explore this month, including music recommendations and a reminder to check out the fabulous album Let’s Sing&Grow, available on Spotify & YouTube!

“If You’re Happy & You Know It”

If you’re grumpy, stomp your feet. If you’re tired, stretch and yawn. If you’re sad, have a cuddle. This classic children’s song is a great reminder of how music and movement help children express, communicate, and regulate emotions, a skill linked to long-term wellbeing and social development.

Try songs like Shake Your Sillies Out or Aussie Animal Groove by Sing&Grow, which invite imaginative play and animal-inspired movement. When children choose their own movements, they’re learning to tune into their bodies and emotions, a key part of emotional literacy.

Bopping Along With Babies

Cuddling and bouncing a baby to music you love (yes, even your favourite grown-up songs!) helps them feel your joy and attune to your emotions. This kind of musical care builds strong foundations for emotional regulation and physical play.

Try taking turns with older children to copy each other’s dance moves. When you mirror their ideas, they feel validated. When they copy yours, their brains are busy building body awareness and social confidence, all while having fun!

Building Gross & Fine Motor Skills

Many children’s songs invite specific actions that support motor development:

• Fine motor skills: Open Shut Them, Incy Wincy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Gross motor skills: Dingle Dangle Scarecrow, Hop Little Bunnies, Hokey Pokey
• Body awareness: Heads & Shoulders, Knees & Toes, Busy Body by Sing&Grow

These songs help children coordinate movement, name body parts, and develop rhythm and spatial awareness. Even babies benefit by watching your moves and joining in, this builds their motor pathways and emotional connection.

Movement With Props

For extra fun, grab some colourful ribbons, scarves, or a parachute and move together to your favourite songs. Props add sensory richness and help children explore space, energy, and expression, all key elements of musical movement pedagogy.

Music and movement aren’t just fun, they are powerful tools for learning, connection, and growth. Whether you’re bouncing with a baby or dancing with a preschooler, you are helping to build a strong foundation of lifelong wellbeing.

Resources:

• Music and Movement Pedagogy in Basic Education, a systematic review, Luis del Barrio, Egenia Arus, Frontiers in Education, 2024 Frontiers | Music and movement pedagogy in basic education: a systematic review
• A review of the literature on the relationship of music education to the development of socio-emotional learning, Judit Varadi, Sage Open Publications, 2022 A Review of the Literature on the Relationship of Music Education to the Development of Socio-Emotional Learning
• Let’s Sing&Grow, Spotify Australia, 2025 Sing&Grow Australia | Spotify