Musical Parenting Tip:  move,
and label, with your child
Why?
  • Labeling movements, as we help baby
    experience them, helps him begin to connect the relationship between the word
    and the movement.
  • Experiencing different movements and
    positions helps to develop baby’s vestibular system, muscle tone, and body
    awareness.
  • Moving can stimulate your child’s
    vestibular system.  According to Carla
    Hannaford, the vestibular system (part of the ear, related to balance &
    movement) must be activated for learning to take place.

 

How?
  • Read Hickory Dickory Dock, with your
    child.  Then, add movement to each part
    of the story.  Label words of position,
    like:  up, down, around, forward,
    backward, sideways, in front, behind, etc.
  • Bounce to the Duke of York (from the Mama
    Goose album).  Be sure to move up when
    ‘they were up,’ and down when ‘they were down.’
  • Try the Cock-a-doodle Doo song!  Where will the dame find her shoe?  On top of Daddy’s head?  Behind the coffee table?  Under doggy’s tummy?  Use words of position to label where the shoe
    is found, each time you play the game.

 

Want
to learn more?
On our blog – learn how music support spatial
development
Also, learn the four parts of spatial awareness