A Parent's Guide to Fun and Movement 

Whether you're planning a fun dance party for your kids or just want to encourage movement, this guide is for you.  Remember, the goal isn't perfect technique—it's fun, confidence, and finding the joy in moving to music! Kids' dancing is wonderfully imaginative, silly, and unique, and we want to celebrate that!

Fun Ways to Practice:

1. The Slow-Motion Beat: Use a song with a slower tempo. Have them sway gently side-to-side, with the sway changing on the first beat. This helps them connect the pulse to a larger body movement. Lower beats help because it has a lot of give to it.  If they are moving back and forth on the first beat of a song with 90 Beats Per Minute (BPM), they are changing directions every 6 seconds.  If they are slightly off, they can recover. 

2. The Freeze Dance Test: When the music is playing, have them move to the beat. When the music stops, they freeze! This game naturally encourages them to listen closely to the music. This can even be a great way to get to having dance parties.  Let the kids do whatever they want, but then hit pause and they freeze. 

3. The Beat Machine: Put on a song with a really clear, strong beat (pop, hip-hop, or even a basic marching band tune works great).

   • Clap It: Have your child clap their hands precisely on every beat.

   • Tap It: Switch to tapping their knees, or even patting their tummy.

   • March It: Have them march in place, lifting one foot on each beat.

1. The Rock and Roll (Side-to-Side Step)

This is the most fundamental dance move for staying with the music. It’s perfect for all songs!

• How to Do It: Step with your right foot to the right. Bring your left foot next to it (or just step with the left in place). Now, step with your left foot to the left. Bring your right foot next to it.

• The Key: Do this exactly on the beat: STEP (right) TOGETHER (left) STEP (left) TOGETHER (right). It should feel like a simple, continuous rocking motion.

2. The Popcorn Pop (Jumping and Wiggling)

• How to Do It: Stand with feet together. On the first beat, jump slightly and let your whole body "pop" and wiggle as if you were a piece of popcorn exploding. 

• The Key: Encourage them to use their whole body: arms waving, head bobbling, knees wiggling. It doesn't have to be pretty—it has to be big and silly!

This move is all about energy and letting loose, which kids naturally love. On a song with 4 beats, the goal would be that the wiggle is wrapped up on the 3rd beat so they reset on the 4th beat and go again on the first beat. 

3. The Follow the Leader (Adding Imagination)

This isn't a single move, but a great game to encourage improvisation.

• How to Do It: Start a simple, exaggerated motion—like shaking invisible maracas, swimming through the air, or pretending to climb a rope. Have your child mirror your movement.

• The Key: After a few seconds, let your child take the lead! Their movements might be completely random or highly creative. The goal is just to move and imitate, which builds body awareness and confidence.

The Most Important Rule: Have Fun!

No matter how your kids dance—whether they are flawlessly on the beat or just rolling on the floor—keep smiling, cheering, and dancing with them. Your excitement is the best encouragement they can receive!

Crank up the tunes! Happy dancing!

Header Photo by Janay Peters on Unsplash