Chicken Dance

Ah, the Chicken Dance! I am always reminded of my elementary school PE teacher whenever I hear the Chicken Dance music. But, preschoolers love this dance just as much as elementary kids.  Before you put the music on, you will want to practice with the kids.  Show them how to make a chicken beak, flap their wings, shake their tail feathers and clap 4 times (with children ages 3 and under, I omit the clapping and just let them shake their tail feathers for those beats).  While the music plays, I will sing these words:
Do a little bit of this
Do a little bit of that
Shake your feathers
(clap-clap-clap-clap)

Once the children have gotten the hang of the dance, I stop singing and just baaach - baaacchh - baacchh to the tune.  Be prepared for lots of giggles and lots of silliness with this activity.  I'll bet you even find yourself having a bit of fun with the Chicken Dance.....baach-baacchhh-baacchh!!

Recommended Versions of the Chicken Dance music for Preschoolers:
The Chicken Dance by The Hit Crew
The Chicken Dance by Kids Party Central (this is a slow version that would be perfect to use with toddlers)

The Carnival of the Animals: Hens and Cockerels by Camille Saint-Saens

Hens and Cockerels is  a fast and fun piece of music that uses the violin, piano and clarinet and is perfect to use when your preschool has a bird theme. 

• Listen to the music all the way through and then engage students in a discussion about the quality of the music:  Was it fast or slow?  Smooth or staccato?  What instruments did they hear? 
• Choose one student to show you how a chicken  eats and walks, then listen to the song again.  Explain to the students that the composer used short, detached notes to paint a musical picture of chickens and let them strut around the room while the music plays.
• Pull out the rhythm sticks and let the students play along.  The rhythm of this song is syncopated, so don't worry about  keeping a steady beat.  When you hear the violins slide up the scale show the kids how to rub the sticks together and  when they hear the big piano chord, the song is over and they should hold their instruments still.
• Hold a rhythm stick in each hand and let the children "walk" the rhythm sticks on the floor in short, quick movements.  Guide them in "walking" away from the body and close to the body, to the left and to the right and all around.
• Vocabulary Lesson - Hen is a girl chicken and Cockerel is a boy chicken!

Big Band Playlist

If you want to get your kids moving and grooving, one of the easiest things to do is play some Big Band Music.  Big Band, or Swing Music is appealing to preschoolers because of the heavy emphasis of the rhythm section.  Big Band grew out of the Dance Music era of the 20's and 30's and has its roots in jazz music, but unlike jazz, which relies heavily upon improvisation, big band music is intricately arranged and uses improvisation sparingly. You are probably familiar with many songs and composers from this era but may not  know which songs go with which composer!  Let my suggestions guide you as you create a Big Band playlist for your classroom or home, and then on your next rainy day play let your preschoolers release all that pent up energy by dancing to the sounds of the big band!

Take the 'A' Train - Duke Ellington
It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing - Duke Ellington
Satin Doll - Duke Ellington
April in Paris - Count Basie
Swinging the Blues - Count Basie
Sentimental Journey - Les Brown
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Les Brown
Chattanooga Choo-Choo - Glenn Miller
String of Pearls - Glenn Miller
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) - Glenn Miller