Are you searching for an engaging and effective way to boost auditory skills in children? Look no further than the “Listen and Move” song! This tried-and-true musical activity is a fantastic resource for auditory verbal therapy, whether you’re conducting in-person sessions, engaging in telepractice, or guiding families at home. Best of all, it requires absolutely no preparation, making it a go-to listening and language learning tool for busy educators and parents alike.
For years, music from the renowned duo Greg & Steve has been a staple in auditory verbal sessions, and for good reason. Their songs are not only rich in language and educational content but also incredibly motivating for young learners. The “Listen and Move” track, featured on the We All Live Together, Vol-2 album, stands out as an exceptional choice for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary school children. This song helps children develop crucial skills such as:
- Enhanced Listening and Attention: The song actively engages children’s auditory focus, encouraging them to concentrate on the sounds and instructions.
- Following Directions: “Listen and Move” is built upon action-based directives, prompting children to listen carefully and respond physically, improving their ability to follow instructions.
- Improved Auditory Memory and Recall: As children progress through the song, they rely on their auditory memory to recall the movements associated with different musical cues.
- Musical Appreciation: Beyond language skills, the song cultivates an appreciation for music, rhythm, and tempo.
In the readily available YouTube video for “Listen and Move!”, the auditory experience takes center stage. Presented without visual aids, the song encourages children to truly listen – fostering “ear contact before eye contact,” a crucial element in developing strong auditory processing skills. This pure auditory input allows their brains to focus on the nuances of sound, undistracted by visuals.
Ready to get started? Here’s how to play:
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Begin by playing the “Listen and Move” video. Encourage children to listen attentively to the music and follow the verbal directions, which guide them through actions like WALK, GALLOP, TIPTOE, RUN, SKATE, and HOP.
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The song then transitions to a second verse featuring the same music but without any spoken words.
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In this verse, challenge children to become active listeners, focusing on the musical elements themselves – pitch, rhythm, tempo, and cadence. They should use their auditory memory to recall and perform the dance movements associated with each distinct sound. For example, the musical cues for tiptoeing are audibly different from those for skating, encouraging auditory discrimination.
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To expand the learning opportunities, use the actions in the song as springboards for vocabulary building and conversation. Engage children in discussions around questions like: “Which animals gallop?”, “When might someone tiptoe?”, or “What are different types of skates?”.
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Extend the activity further by connecting it to literacy. Explore children’s books centered around movement and motion. Resources like Bookroo: The Children’s Book Experts offer curated lists of excellent options.
One standout recommendation is Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book by Seder, R. B. (2007). This book is particularly captivating for babies and toddlers, inspiring them to mimic movements like galloping, swinging, running, and jumping, just like the diverse animals featured.
Children engaged in listening and moving activities, possibly in a classroom or home setting, with smiles and expressions of enjoyment, suggesting an educational and fun environment focused on auditory learning through movement.
Embrace the “Listen and Move” song and watch as children’s auditory skills flourish in a fun, musical way! It’s a simple yet powerful tool to integrate into your learning environment. Have fun exploring the world of listening and movement!
