Let The Little Body Move

Children love music. When JX was a baby, I found that he moved to music naturally. I started playing him 'Barney - Moving and Grooving 'DVD when he learnt to pull up and cruised. The clapping game led by Barney in this DVD is simple and fun. It encouraged JX to get up and try to clap along with Barney.

After JX has learnt to walk, I played him another two music videos - ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’ and ‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’. Toddlers are interested in body parts. I found that these songs provided a great way to help JX learnt the name of his body parts. The little one was very eager to act out his newfound knowledge whenever the music was on. I think this is good in assisting toddlers to learn control over their body.

There are lots more songs which can be encouraged toddlers to follow the act e.g. ‘One, Two, Buckle My Shoe’, ‘I'm A Little Teapot’. Or some finger-play song, e.g. ‘Incy Wincy Spider’.

Sometimes, without turning on the DVD, I would sing and act along the song ‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’ a bit differently and let JX follow.

"If you're happy and you know it clap your hands. (physically clap my hands)
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands. (physically clap my hands)
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it, If you're happy and you know it clap your hand. (physically clap my hands)
(shout hooray, knock your head, pull your hair, pull your ear, turn around…)"

So, mommy remember to get up and dance together with your toddler!





JX was enjoying the clapping song led by Barney