🎨 Moving & making · Ages 2–3 · about 2 weeks

Feelings in Music and Play

Goal: Explore a gentle beat and use movement or pretend play to show a feeling.

For parents: A beat is a steady pulse you can tap along to. Keep sounds quiet and let your child watch, move or join in. Feelings do not have one fixed face or movement; ask what your child's choices mean. Clear some floor space and stay nearby.

Do together

  1. Tap along together

    You need: Your hands

    Sit comfortably and tap your knees slowly with your hands. Pause and invite your child to join in or offer their own taps. Try a quiet hum over the tapping. Matching every beat is not the aim.

  2. A happy hello

    You need: A clear floor space

    Pretend that someone you enjoy seeing has arrived. Ask how your body might show a happy hello. Wave, sway or open your hands together. Then pretend to feel tired and choose a restful movement. Seated movements work too.

  3. Teddy needs company

    You need: One large soft toy with no loose parts

    Pretend teddy feels lonely and wants company. Let your child choose how to greet teddy, perhaps with a wave, a word or a gentle tune. Ask before offering a cuddle. Give your child a turn to decide how teddy feels next.

Talk about it

  • Would you like to tap or listen?
  • How does your movement feel?
  • What could we do to welcome teddy?

Words to use

  • tap
  • beat
  • quiet
  • wave
  • happy
  • tired

Play

  • Feelings Friends
    Feelings
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