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Scarf Dancing Circle Activities for Preschoolers
Colorful scarves make great dance props for preschoolers. Indoors or out, scarf dancing encourages preschoolers to experiment with creative movement in new ways.
What You Need
Scarves – Use scarves from your closet. Find scarves at second hand stores. Make your own scarves out of lightweight see through fabric or purchase dance scarves.
Music - any type of music will do. Play a variety of music types.
Free Play First
Preschoolers learn best and play for longer periods of time when they are allowed to explore with props on their own.
Play different types of music and let preschoolers explore scarf dancing in their own way.
1. Hand Out Scarves
2. Play Music – Play a variety of types of music. Music with different tempos and sounds inspire preschoolers to move in different ways.
Follow the Leader
1. Call out one preschooler’s name to be the leader.
2. Tell the preschooler to show one way to move their scarf.
3. Everyone in the group moves their scarf in the same way as the leader.
4. Choose another leader and continue the steps above.
5. Keep choosing leaders until every preschooler has had a chance to be the leader.
Circle Activities to Explore "Inside" and "Outside"
Help preschoolers explore spatial concepts with these simple instructions.
Preschoolers stand in a circle.
1. Stand in place and move your scarf inside of the circle. Move your scarf outside of the circle.
2. Spread your legs side apart. Bend over and move your scarf inside the circle. Move your scarf outside of the circle. (Preschoolers might choose to hold their arms between their legs to put their scarf outside of the circle.)
Partner Activities for older 4's and 5's
One partner holds two scarves. The other partner forms their arms into a circle. Then the partners switch activities so both preschoolers get a chance to do each part of the activity.
1. If you are holding two scarves, face your partner who has formed a circle with their arms. Wiggle your scarves on the inside of the circle (the circle made by your partner's arms).
2. Wiggle your scarves outside of the circle. (the circle made by your partner's arms).
3. Wiggles your scarves both inside and outside of the circle (the circle made by your partner's arms).
Circle Activities to Explore "Over" and "Under"
Preschoolers sit down on the floor.
1. Put one hand under your scarf.
2. Put two hands under your scarf.
3. Put one hand over your scarf and one hand under your scarf.
4. Put one foot under your scarf.
5. Put two feet under your scarf.
6. Put two hands and two feet under your scarf.
7. Put two feet and one hand under your scarf.
8. Put your scarf over your head.
9. Put your whole body under your scarf.
10. Put your whole body over your scarf.
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