Music is the heartbeat of any successful preschool dance class. As someone immersed in the world of kids’ dance for over a decade at ten-dance.com, I’ve seen firsthand how the right soundtrack can transform a class. The perfect Preschool Dance Songs are essential for capturing attention, burning off energy, and even easing transitions as little dancers head home. Here’s my curated list of must-have songs, along with creative ways to use them in your classes, ensuring a joyful and engaging experience centered around preschool dance songs.
“Bear Breath” – Kira Wiley
Starting or ending a preschool dance session with mindfulness is incredibly beneficial. Kira Wiley’s “Bear Breath” is perfect for incorporating mindful movement. Imagine your little dancers closing their eyes and focusing on their breath. This calming song creates a moment of stillness, allowing children to center themselves before or after an energetic class. For teachers, it’s also a valuable minute to handle quick tasks like attendance or distributing rewards, making it a practical and soothing addition to your preschool dance songs playlist.
“Keepy Uppy” – Bluey
“Keepy Uppy” from Bluey is an absolute gem for preschool dance classes. Its infectious rhythm and playful lyrics resonate even with children unfamiliar with the show. I’ve found it incredibly versatile for developing balance skills and designing engaging obstacle courses. The song also naturally encourages turn-taking and practicing locomotor movements, making it a fantastic choice for interactive and fun preschool dance songs activities.
“Good Morning” – Caroline and Danny
Welcoming a new class of 2 or 3-year-olds can sometimes be met with shyness. Caroline and Danny’s “Good Morning” is a delightful icebreaker. This cheerful song encourages young dancers to think about different animals and express themselves in a silly, uninhibited way. It’s a wonderful tool to ease first-day jitters and create a positive and welcoming atmosphere with these engaging preschool dance songs.
“A Tisket A Tasket” – Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald’s classic “A Tisket A Tasket” is perfect for introducing fundamental movement skills like hopping and skipping, adaptable to various skill levels within your class. Using hula hoops adds an element of fun and structure. As students hop or skip inside their hoops, the lyrics “I dropped it” cue them to drop their hoops and spin around, adding an element of surprise and reinforcing listening skills through movement with these timeless preschool dance songs.
“Stand Up, Sit Down” – Patty Shukla
When classroom energy levels are scattered, or some students need a wiggle break, Patty Shukla’s “Stand Up, Sit Down” is my go-to song. It’s incredibly effective for refocusing attention and letting children release pent-up energy in a structured way. This song is fantastic for re-engaging the class and injecting fun movement when needed, making it a valuable asset in your collection of preschool dance songs.
“Miss Mary Mack” – Ella Jenkins
For rhythm and coordination exercises, “Miss Mary Mack” by Ella Jenkins is superb. I prefer the version that gradually increases in tempo, challenging students to maintain their clapping or patting in sync as the pace quickens. It’s a fun way to develop rhythmic awareness and teamwork, utilizing classic preschool dance songs for educational movement.
“Fly like A Butterfly” – Bari Koral
Bari Koral’s “Fly like A Butterfly” is ideal for spring and summer-themed classes, or anytime you want to bring a touch of nature into your dance session. After teaching the butterfly stretches, children can easily lead themselves through the movements, fostering independence and body awareness. The song’s gentle rhythm and imagery make it a calming yet engaging choice among preschool dance songs, perfect for creative movement and stretching.
Looking to expand your preschool dance class music library? Explore these curated resources for more inspiration: Winter Animal Songs and Spring Essentials.
Enhance your dance teacher toolkit with these resources to enrich your classes: Penguin and Polar Bear Movement Cards and Scarf and Ribbon Creative Movement Cards.
