Out There In The Wild: Movement Songs as Tools for Early Childhood Music Education

How purposeful movement supports musical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth in preschoolers

By Jes Cleland

If you’ve ever witnessed a preschool music class in full swing, you know it’s not a quiet, sit-still kind of environment—and that’s precisely how it should be. Young children learn best when they’re in motion. Their brains and bodies are wired to explore the world through movement, and music offers the perfect structure for that exploration. As a music educator and children’s songwriter, I’ve seen firsthand the power of movement songs to engage preschoolers, strengthen early learning skills, and lay the foundation for a lifelong love of music. That’s why movement songs are at the heart of my new album, Out There In The Wild—a collection of playful, imagination-fueled tracks designed to bring energy, structure, and creativity into early childhood music classrooms. The album will be released on May 9th, 2025.

Movement and Music: A Natural Partnership

Preschoolers don’t separate learning from play the way adults do. For them, moving their bodies is how they process information, build social connections, and develop coordination. When you pair movement with music, you create a multisensory learning experience that sticks. Songs that invite children to jump, clap, dance, freeze, or stomp help reinforce steady beat, rhythmic awareness, spatial reasoning, and sequencing. These are not just musical skills—they’re developmental milestones. Movement songs also support language development, motor planning, and emotional regulation. And perhaps most importantly? They’re fun. They tap into children’s innate joy and imagination, creating a more meaningful musical experience.

Structure Without Sitting Still

One of the trickiest parts of teaching preschool music is creating structure while still allowing kids the freedom to move and play. Many kids this age aren’t ready to sit still and listen quietly for long stretches of time—and that’s okay! In fact, the expectation that they should do so often works against engagement. That’s where movement songs shine. They offer clear directions, predictable patterns, and opportunities for call-and-response, all while encouraging kids to stay active and involved. A good movement song can function as both a musical exercise and a classroom management tool. With that in mind, the majority of the songs on Out There In The Wild are written to support a specific moment in the flow of a preschool music class—gathering, warming up, transitioning, or cooling down—while reinforcing musical and developmental concepts along the way. Many of these songs also leave space for children to explore their imaginations – transforming into dinosaurs (If I Were A Dinosaur), jumping in puddles (Raindrops Falling On Me), or befriending a family of beetles (Get Out, Beetle!).

Building the Album: Classroom-Tested, Kid-Approved

This album is a collection of songs I’ve written over the past several years while teaching preschool music classes. Each one was created with a specific classroom need in mind—whether it was helping a scattered group come together, giving kids a way to release their energy, or guiding them gently from one activity to the next. Many of the songs were inspired by moments in real classes and shaped by the rhythms and reactions of the children themselves. Some tracks, like “I’ve Got A Feelin'” are built around simple, repetitive movements like clapping, stomping, and jumping to support steady beat and body awareness. Others tell playful musical stories that invite kids to become dinosaurs, splash in imaginary puddles, or laugh along with the silly adventures of Five Roly Polies. Throughout the writing and recording process, I also considered how music educators could use these songs alongside props: scarves, stretchy bands, rhythm sticks, and parachutes. I wrote the song “Motion of the Ocean” specifically with a “stretchy band” in mind. Many preschool music educators (myself included) rely on these tools to keep kids engaged and to bring a tactile, visual element to lessons.

Tips for Using Movement Songs in Your Class

If you’re looking to expand your movement song repertoire—or make the most of the songs on Out There In The Wild—here are a few ideas to try:

● Repeat for mastery. Repetition helps children feel confident and secure. Revisit a favorite movement song each week and watch how their coordination and participation grow.

● Use props purposefully. A scarf or stretchy band can turn a simple song into a full-body learning experience. Choose songs with a clear pulse and enough space between lyrics for kids to move freely or process directives.

● Narrate and Model the action. Before you press play, model what the kids will do during the song. This builds anticipation and sets them up for success.

● Allow room for improvisation. Some of the best musical moments happen when a child adds their own spin to a movement. Leave space for creativity!

● Connect to themes. Tie songs into seasonal themes, classroom topics, or social-emotional learning goals. For example, “Raindrops Falling On Me” is a great song for a spring-themed lesson plan!

Out There In The Wild

As teachers, we know the songs that work—and we also know the ones that fall flat. My hope with Out There In The Wild is that these songs feel like instant classics in your classroom, that they become the go-tos you reach for when you need to reset the energy, start the day strong, or end with a giggle. The album will be available on May 9th, 2025, on all streaming platforms, and you can follow along with visuals, activity ideas, and teaching tips over on my Instagram @musicunashville. I’d love to hear how you and your students bring these songs to life. Whether you’re stomping like dinosaurs, clapping in rhythm, or moving your hips to the beat, you’re doing the joyful work of helping children discover the magic of music through movement. Let’s keep them moving—and let’s keep the music going!

Jes Cleland is a Nashville-based musician, music educator, children’s songwriter, and founder of Music U, a family-run music studio offering in-home lessons and early childhood music classes. Since 2013, Jes has been passionate about creating joyful, engaging musical experiences that nurture creativity and confidence in young learners. Her debut children’s album, Out There In The Wild, features movement-based songs designed to support music educators and spark imagination in the classroom.