Music in Motion: Rhythm, Movement and Sound at Monkey Puzzle Marleigh, Cambridge
Over the past week, the children at Monkey Puzzle Marleigh, our day nursery in Jubilee Square, Cambridge, have been exploring the link between sound and movement. From our babies to our preschoolers, every room has been connecting what they hear with how their bodies move, and learning to keep time with a rhythm along the way. Music and movement are a wonderful pairing in the early years, building physical skills, listening and confidence all at once.
Preschool Get Moving with Monkeynastics
During Monkeynastics, our preschool children learnt how their bodies can move freely through the space around them. The session began with movement and ring games that let them explore ideas like loud and quiet, and fast and slow, before they were off dancing, jumping, rolling and marching. All that big, energetic movement works the larger muscle groups, building strength, balance and spatial awareness, the physical foundations that help children sit, write and play with confidence when they move on to school.
Toddlers Find the Beat with Drums, Clapping and Dance
Our toddlers listened to a variety of songs and made sounds of their own with instruments. Some took to the drums while others clapped along in time, learning to listen closely and respond to a beat. They also copied movements to the music using coloured materials to shake and ruffle, a lovely way to combine rhythm, coordination and plenty of giggles. For your toddler, activities like these strengthen listening skills, encourage turn-taking and help them express themselves long before the words always come easily.
Babies Enjoy Finger Rhymes, Lullabies and Song Sacks
In our baby room, music was woven gently into everyday routines. Our babies listened to finger rhymes, lullabies and repetitive songs throughout the day, and explored song sacks and wooden spoons to hold, tap and wave while the singing went on around them. Repetition and rhythm are exactly what young babies need: familiar songs soothe and reassure, while the simple actions and sounds lay early foundations for language, attention and bonding with the adults who care for them.
Why Music and Movement Matter in the Early Years
Music and movement do far more than fill a session with fun. Keeping a beat, copying actions and moving to loud, quiet, fast and slow sounds all sharpen listening, memory and coordination, while the physical side builds the strength and body control children need for every stage that follows. Just as importantly, singing and dancing together is a joyful, shared experience that helps children feel confident and connected. For your child, it means childcare in Cambridge where learning moves, sings and plays its way through the week. It is one of the many ways we support every child’s development at Monkey Puzzle Marleigh.