Movement is a form language and the use of language is a key element of communication. We can use our body movements to speak and interact with each other when our languages are different. Movement is like nutrition for children's growth, it is one of the essential aspects that is necessary to develop children's mobility skills. Teaching music and movement at our school have become effective ways for children to interact and unite during cooperative learning. Creative dancing encourages an interactive environment where children share space as they explore movement together but in their own way. When we put on soft music, children would tiptoe and upon hearing loud music, they would stamp their feet. This gives children an awareness of the different kinds of body movements they can make by the use of music, as well as, incorporating language development.

Various sounds of music are used to teach different how to recognize and express different emotions we experience. During lunch time, play time, nap time, and snack time, we play appropriate background music that helps them enjoy the current activities. Music is a great attention grabber. For instance, we encourage children to express different emotions through their movement after reading. This is a realistic way to tell them that good exercise is important for reading comprehension in the future.

Relating science with music is fun. Our teachers have taught our children the cycle of a butterfly by instructing the children to gather and form into a moth and as they spread out across the room, it shows how the moth became a butterfly. This activity allows children to express the different movements with the use of light music. A trip to the zoo or aquarium may teach children the different ways animals use sounds to communicate. For example, seeing and hearing a snake hiss will motivate the children to become excited and imitate the snake. They will hiss like the snake and wave their bodies like one too.

Singing helps the children retain more information and increases their memory and ability to communicate. For example, some preschoolers have used the verses “over under, around the tree, swing past the knot hole, pull and see” to learn how to tie their shoe. Sight words and common rhymes can also be taught through the songs. Teaching children through music gives them the ability to be creative and learn quickly.

We use rhythm sticks, drums, tambourines, or shakers as great tools for teaching math where the children can count the beating sounds. Rhythmic instruments work well when reading books. The children can clap their hands, snap their fingers, or stomp their feet, even when rhythmic instruments are not available. Children can see creativity in almost everything and the use of sounds is one way to show them.