Music and movement
Moving and singing together is good for baby’s brain development and it's fun. Try using actions as you sing.
Moving and singing together is a rich (multi-sensory) brain-building experience for toddlers, and it’s fun. It involves movement, tune, rhythm, language, listening to others, having fun and exercising – all at the same time.
In the Whakatipu booklet Te Pihinga 3 (page 9), it says:
- ‘Pēpi is more interested in other people and what they’re up to. She’ll enjoy watching and trying to copy, for example, actions in waiata-a-ringa, poi, and haka …
- Pēpi loves to hear the same familiar songs over and over and she doesn’t care if you sing in tune or not!’
Ask whānau:
- Is there an action song that you and your child enjoy?
- Would it be okay if we sang that together?
- Would you like to learn another song that uses their ‘big’ muscles [gross motor skills]?
If they say yes, you could say:
- ‘It’s here on page 9 in te reo Māori. You might know it in English too – it’s the ‘Hokey Tokey’ song. We can sing it in either or both languages. The English version goes [sing]:
You put your left hand in
You put your left hand out
You put your left hand in and you shake it all about
You do the Hokey Tokey [hands on hips and wiggle side to side]
And you turn yourself around
That’s what it’s all about [clap in time]
- This song could probably be sung in any language, or the words could be made up as you go.
- Shall we stand up, make a circle together, and have a go at singing and doing the actions?
Tell them they can make up more verses with their child – in the Te Pihinga 3 booklet there’s ‘ringa’ (hand), ‘waewae’ (foot), ‘māhunga’ (head) and ‘tinana’ (whole body).
Another good activity for moving to a beat is the All Blacks’ haka, ‘Ka mate’. The words are on page 21.
How does this relate to the Tākai resources?
Baby wall frieze – Waiata mai – Sing to me
Six things children need – Te kōrero me te whakarongo – Talking and listening
Helpful resources for whānau
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Ministry of Education: Music and waiata play ideas
Children are born into a world of sound and movement. Music helps their intellectual, imaginative, emotional, social and cultural growth.
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Ministry of Education: Play ideas and activities
These play ideas from the Ministry of Education were developed for playgroups, but parents and caregivers may also find the ideas useful.
