The Rhythm of My Day 3

"Class is ready to begin. The beginning march music starts as I coax my little boy to rise up and march around the circle with me. Children and adults begin to move. This is when my son has an emotional lapse. He won't walk on his own. He wants to be carried. Why is he so clingy?" Moving to music in a large group is an emotional experience. We must bend to the will of the group and when you are only 3 feet high it can be daunting.

However, the experience is also emotionally pleasurable, especially when the group comes into the circle and we greet each other. Feeling both movement and emotion is very beneficial to the toddler. Here lies the beginning of ensemble skills.

"Developing children's space awareness means helping them understand their body's relationship to personal and general space- the where and how of movement." Having a prop can enhance free movement.

Having a prop like a stick horse brings pretend into the equation.

Music playing in the background intensifies and heightens the movement play.

Even the non-walker can feel the excitement through the arms of the caregiver. 

Movement comes before language. Going through the hoop helps the understanding of the word through.
All of these activities augment control of fingers, legs, arms, ect.
Maybe doing the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about.