The Importance of Movement Labeling

The Importance of Movement Labeling

Kindermusik prides itself on being a music and movement program! Moving is key to learning, especially for young children! Linking language and movement is how children develop both their vocabulary and their repertoire of physical movements. By labeling movement for children, they are able to make the connection between what they are hearing and what their body is doing.
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Whether you’re reading, dancing, or singing there are so many opportunities to label movements. Many of the children’s books you read and songs you sing with your child incorporate movement words already! For example, during “Row Row Row Your Boat” you can row your arms back and forth with your child as you sing. It’s that easy, and even though it seems simple, that doesn’t negate how important it is and what it can do for your child’s vocabulary. When kids are dancing and moving to music that outlines the movements that triggers their brain to cross reference both hemispheres, right being the emotional/creative side and left the organizational/logical side. Labeling movement is an all-encompassing way of engaging in both cognitive development, exercise, and skills such as inhibitory control/spacial awareness all at the same time! 

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Want to incorporate movement labeling into your daily routine? Here’s a “Try it Tip” you can do at home! Next time your child asks for a snack, give your child a choice, asking them how they would like to go into the kitchen. Some suggestions might be jump, tip-toe, or march! As they move to the kitchen, label their movements by saying their choice as they move. For example, "Jump, jump, jump...jump, jump jump!" To extend the activity, you can go on a tour of your house labeling a different way of moving into each separate room! If your child isn’t walking yet, you can try lifting them and “Zoom, zoom, zooming” to the changing pad, rocking chair, or car seat. Check out the video below for an example!

​Some more examples of movements that you can label include hop, slide, twirl, bounce, zig zag, stomp, gallop, or roll! Also, incorporating pretend play, for instance suggesting your child pretend to drive a car to each room in your house, allows for directional labeling as well. As you “drive, drive, drive” around the house moving your pretend steering wheels, you can cue your child when they need to turn left, right, backward, or forward. Even when you’re driving in the actual car, that is a great time to talk with your child about which way the car is moving and what direction you’ll be turning next!
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Since children love to move and often never stop moving, it is easy to find areas of your lives that allow for incorporating movement labeling! The best part is, while you’re up and moving, singing, dancing and having fun, your child is not only learning but building skills, such as an expanded vocabulary, that will assist them in expressing their personal preferences and choices.