Just Dance! Using Children's Action Songs

It's no secret that most kids just love to dance.  When I was teaching, we had a special time of music and movement that we did everyday that the children really enjoyed participating in, where they would move and dance according to directions in the songs.  The kids always saw this music and movement as a lot of fun, like a game almost, but the sneaky truth is that using children's action songs serves many purposes, not just getting a little exercise.  Using action songs as a regular daily activity promotes listening and thinking skills, cooperation, and rhythm, among other things.

Remembering how much my students loved this time in class, I decided to institute it at home for Curls a few weeks ago.  So I went on YouTube and searched for some of my favorite children's action songs that I had used.  After putting together a playlist, Princess and Dirty D were happy to join me in following the directions in the songs so that Curls could see what this playtime was all about.  After several days of just watching his older brother and sister do the movements, he started to join in! 

Do your kids love to dance?  Here are some of Curls favorite children's action songs to dance to!

Disclaimer:  These videos are shared via YouTube.  As with anything that can be shared, I have no control over the content of the videos and/or advertisements included within.  Please use your own best judgement when using YouTube with your children, including prescreening videos, closing advertisements immediately, and ignoring/avoiding the comments section.  

First of all, I have to say as both a former teacher and a parent, that Laurie Berkner and her little band are awesome for action songs!  When my older two were little, we had all their cds, and they got a ton of use here at home before I passed them along to my friend after my kids had supposedly outgrown them.  The music is full of energy and has this great ability to put you in a happy mood.  Our absolute favorites:




There are several more great action songs out there. Children especially love the ones where you imitate animals, such as this one: (my kids' favorite!)
And of course, the good ole "Going on a Bear Hunt" (I remember this from when I was a child!)
Do you use action songs in your home? What are some of your children's favorites?