When you send in the clowns, you can also introduce a whole lot of fun practicing all kinds of ways to move, jump, listen, focus, and even stop. At first glance, it might seem like an activity such as “I Am a Clown” is just about moving and dancing. But watch a little more closely, and you’ll see that there are a whole lot more benefits than just developing gross motor skills.
Linking language and movement – With each new verse, there’s a new movement… and a new movement word for labeling that movement. This is how children expand their vocabulary and their repertoire of moves.
Inhibitory control – This is that all-important skill of learning self-control, both externally and internally. Having to stop their movements helps children learn how to be better in control of not just their bodies, but also their emotions and their interactions with others.
Active listening – “I Am a Clown” is a fun way for children to practice listening and responding to those aural cues. Active listening is a learned skill, and one that will serve a child well even into adulthood.
Following directions – Bringing together several different ways of moving into the different verses of the same song helps children with the all-important excecutive function skill of following directions.
Social-emotional development – There’s nothing much more powerful than bonding together through music and movement activities, whether that’s parent-child together time or whether it’s enjoying the company and inspiration of friends in a music activity.
With all of these great benefits from a simple music and movement activity, enjoy a little “clowning around” with your own child (or with your whole class if you’re a teacher!) for a sneak peek into how the Kindermusik curriculum works through music and movement.