Toddlers - They Tell Me What to Do

I do not sweat more than when leading my toddler classes. Wait a minute, I do not lead anything, they run the class! I love it though. Last week when I played the ukulele for a freeze dance, the tots took over by telling me to "freeze" and "go," and again this week. It is quite adorable.

I have a huge tote bag that I bring with me that has all my teaching props ready to go - scarves, a few instruments, fabric, fabric, fabric, a stuffed bear, a magic wand, all the necessary things.  The tots found the bag and just started pulling things out, "Ok, its scarf dancing time!" I don't fight it, I roll with it. This is how I have figured out how to teach toddlers creative movement. They tell me what to, I just make suggestions now and then.

For the story part, I read From Head to Toe by Eric Carle. When we got to the cat, I showed them how to stretch like the cat. One of my little ones went into a downward dog with one foot bent in the air, "It's yoga," he said in his little toddler voice. The cuteness is unbearable at times.

I have learned to love teaching toddlers creative movement and music, though my first year doing these classes for this age, I felt, was very challenging. Now, I really look forward to it. The difference with this group is that I really have to let go of trying to get them to do what I planned or want them to do. I bring the music, the instruments, the props, and we play. I don't even do things in order anymore. You want to start with the ukulele, sure. You want me to cover you in fabric, ok. You want to jump up and down for awhile, let's do that.

My classes are, usually, very structured. The toddlers, apparently, are my kryptonite because all structure goes out the window. And it works. I think part of the success of these groups are the excellent teachers in the classroom. They participate and enjoy the children as much as I do. With a supportive group of teachers around, every class is a success and everyone has fun.