Sing and dance then relax with a picture book featuring the power of music

At school children can be seen singing throughout the day. They hum while working, they are quick to sing when offered the chance with chants and songs during lessons and they sing and dance popular songs while out for recess. Children intuitively know there is power in singing and dancing like there is no tomorrow!

A number of my friends, Diana, Patricia and Kathy to name a few have been choir members and can’t imagine their lives without choral singing. There is something therapeutic to singing in a group as there is a strong bond of camaraderie through teamwork plus one’s voice sounds better when singing with others. The power of many singing in unison is greater than the sum of the individual voices. It’s infectious as it is soothing and joy inciting.

A wee friend of mine Molly, who is just over 3, wakes each morning with a joyful energy to dance. She does not need to be invited but spontaneously will twirl and move. Add music, especially a tune she loves like Let it Go from Frozen and goodness she is ready to sing and dance with abandon!

In the classroom when we see kids getting restless we make a point of stopping and introducing physical activity and often will put a dance link on the smart board. There are a number of video links that guide the participants through leading dance moves and popular songs. We used Just Dance and the kids were riveted to following the moves. Dance is a great way to get the restlessness out of a child who can’t stop moving.

Now, although as adults many are afraid of dancing, we as an adult (yes males and females) community have propelled into an obsession with So You think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars and The World of Dance. Why do we love it? Because we admire the achievement of those who can adeptly coordinate movement to music and evoke emotion to boot. We wish we could do it with such grace and rhythm. We know it is a powerful medium of expression. Hmm interesting the same fear that is aroused from those asked to do art, as they are fearful of judgement. Let’s toss away fear of judgement. Anxiety and fear just get in the way of joy.

In the face of this pandemic, what do we have to lose? Most of us will be singing and dancing within the comfort of our own homes. No one is watching( unless a family member is video taping your performance yikes!) Let us gather up our kids, turn to our wee ones and let them lead us in dancing with abandon! AND NO you can do this without an adult beverage. 😉

Finish your day by choosing books on a music or song theme. There are a number of picture books use lyrics for the text, so you can sing along together as you snuggle for bed.

Dazzle’s Challenge:

  • Hey why not give this a try with your kids. They will love seeing you move and freeze. Or try Just Dance is a great app that allows participants to choose the level of difficulty.

So not so Quick Take Away Links, I couldn’t help myself sharing these sites….

Adults and inhibition

The power of singing and dancing in child development:

Kid President

….be a party!….

Dance

A great article! A testimonial to the power of dance in helping a young boy deal with his ADHD

Singing

Choral Singing

Choir! Choir! Choir!

One Voice Children’s Choir

A friend Patricia belongs to this choir in Toronto

Cantores Celestes

Another friend, Kathy (She inspired the character Happy Cat in my story Happy Cat and Merry Cat), is an active member in Canada’s Oldest Woman’s choir The Duet Club. I think singing is one way she maintains joy in her heart!

Books and Videos/movies

Stories

Sing and dance then relax with a picture book featuring the power of music

At school children can be seen singing throughout the day. They hum while working, they are quick to sing when offered the chance with chants and songs during lessons and they sing and dance popular songs while out for recess. Children intuitively know there is power in singing and dancing like there is no tomorrow!

A number of my friends, Diana, Patricia and Kathy to name a few have been choir members and can’t imagine their lives without choral singing. There is something therapeutic to singing in a group as there is a strong bond of camaraderie through teamwork plus one’s voice sounds better when singing with others. The power of many singing in unison is greater than the sum of the individual voices. It’s infectious as it is soothing and joy inciting.

A wee friend of mine Molly, who is just over 3, wakes each morning with a joyful energy to dance. She does not need to be invited but spontaneously will twirl and move. Add music, especially a tune she loves like Let it Go from Frozen and goodness she is ready to sing and dance with abandon!

In the classroom when we see kids getting restless we make a point of stopping and introducing physical activity and often will put a dance link on the smart board. There are a number of video links that guide the participants through leading dance moves and popular songs. We used Just Dance and the kids were riveted to following the moves. Dance is a great way to get the restlessness out of a child who can’t stop moving.

Now, although as adults many are afraid of dancing, we as an adult (yes males and females) community have propelled into an obsession with So You think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars and The World of Dance. Why do we love it? Because we admire the achievement of those who can adeptly coordinate movement to music and evoke emotion to boot. We wish we could do it with such grace and rhythm. We know it is a powerful medium of expression. Hmm interesting the same fear that is aroused from those asked to do art, as they are fearful of judgement. Let’s toss away fear of judgement. Anxiety and fear just get in the way of joy.

In the face of this pandemic, what do we have to lose? Most of us will be singing and dancing within the comfort of our own homes. No one is watching( unless a family member is video taping your performance yikes!) Let us gather up our kids, turn to our wee ones and let them lead us in dancing with abandon! AND NO you can do this without an adult beverage. 😉

Finish your day by choosing books on a music or song theme. There are a number of picture books use lyrics for the text, so you can sing along together as you snuggle for bed.

Dazzle’s Challenge:

  • Hey why not give this a try with your kids. They will love seeing you move and freeze. Or try Just Dance is a great app that allows participants to choose the level of difficulty.

So not so Quick Take Away Links, I couldn’t help myself sharing these sites….

Adults and inhibition

The power of singing and dancing in child development:

Kid President

….be a party!….

Dance

A great article! A testimonial to the power of dance in helping a young boy deal with his ADHD

Singing

Choral Singing

Choir! Choir! Choir!

One Voice Children’s Choir

A friend Patricia belongs to this choir in Toronto

Cantores Celestes

Another friend, Kathy (She inspired the character Happy Cat in my story Happy Cat and Merry Cat), is an active member in Canada’s Oldest Woman’s choir The Duet Club. I think singing is one way she maintains joy in her heart!

Books and Videos/movies

Stories