20 Awesome movement songs for kids
Sometimes it’s difficult to keep young children engaged for OT teletherapy (or face-to-face) sessions. Young children have short attention spans and they NEED to learn through play. Having a variety of “go-to” sensory motor songs that get them moving can be a lifesaver. Read on to add these 20 movement songs to your OT teletherapy toolbox.
Hello, hello, hello how are you?
Disclaimer: I listened to each of these songs and now have several of them stuck inside my head!
Children love music and repetition! I’m a big believer that life should come with a soundtrack.
Music can help children build their strength, coordination, balance, body awareness and regulation.
Music also has powerful effects on brain development and helps with setting a good foundation for academic skills like reading and writing later down the road.
Most of all though, music is just fun! We are doing lots of music in my own home with my 2 boys daily…it’s a great way to get some exercise in when it’s just too hot to be outside!
When to use movement videos
I try to use music and movement in each of my Occupational Therapy sessions when working with young children whether I’m face-to-face or via teletherapy. Sometimes, I start the session with one to get them moving and regulated.
Sometimes, I use them in the middle of a session as a brain break.
And sometimes, I use them as a reward since many of my little ones have their favorites and then start requesting them! I’ll use music to practice waiting and first/then skills so we can work on a new skill that might be a little challenging.
Without further ado, here are 20 of my favorites (as chosen by the kiddos I work with!)
20 movement songs to use during teletherapy sessions
1. Freeze Dance
This one is great for regulation…freeze and then dance, hop, skip, twirl!
2. One Little Finger
Nice and simple following 1-step directions and body part identification
3. Wheels on the Bus
A classic and great for motor imitation. I like this version with demonstration from Patty Shukla.
4. We’re going on a bear hunt
Great for making an indoor obstacle course and for sequencing movements.
5. Walking in the jungle
Similar to a bear hunt and a great way to focus on listening skills and imitating animal sounds
6. Song in my tummy
Great for body part identification and early vocalizations
7. Head, shoulders, knees and toes
This version slows it down a bit for younger kiddos
8. Shake your sillies out
Great for a little free-choice movement
9. If you’re happy and you know it
Focus on those midline and bilateral coordination skills with this one.
10. Hokey Pokey
Great for teaching right/left discrimination and body part identification
11. Tooty Ta
Warning: This one will totally get stuck in your head! And great for a few laughs!
12. Five Little Ducks
Great for some finger isolation, hand movements and counting
13. Listen and Move
Each gross motor movement (hop, walk, gallop) is paired with a certain sound. Great for listening and auditory memory! So fun!
14. Jiggle your scarf
A fun following directions song using a scarf or small blanket
15. Shake and move
Nice and slow body identification
16. Simon Says
Another great one for body part identification
17. Play with me
A slower rhythm for simple following directions of clap hands, tap toes, reach up, spin, jump, march and some good proprioceptive input. A good prompt at the end to slow down and sit..great for getting ready for tabletop task!
18. Baby Shark
The kids still love this one!
19. My Energy
Some nice modeling of movements by the kiddos in the video!
20. We are the dinosaurs
Lots of marching and proprioceptive input!
I hope you have some fun with these songs during your sessions. Feel free to add some of your favorite movement songs in the comments below to make this list even bigger!
Don’t forget to pin and/or share to your teletherapy board to find this post easily during your sessions to use the links.
You can also find this list of songs on my YouTube playlist here!
If you liked this post, check out these posts for more movement ideas:
73 Backyard Activities to keep kids busy all summer
50+ Ways to Rock your Early Intervention Teletherapy sessions
50 Screen Free Activities Free Printable (link at the end of the post)
