Story Time: D is for Dance

by | Jan 8, 2026 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

“D” is for dancing! Did you know that, in addition to being a fantastic way to build physical skills in children, dancing is also a powerful workout for the brain? Remembering choreography strengthens memory and improves a child’s ability to focus and solve problems. So, put on your dancing shoes and bust a move with your child!

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Room.

Ages 3-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

“Dancing and creating music provide an outlet for children to express themselves creatively. It encourages them to invent their moves, compose their songs, and unleash their imagination, fostering both creativity and self-confidence.” The Learning Center

Activity

Select a favorite song from your youth and share it with your child as you move and dance to the rhythm. You can choose to add simple props or noise makers like socks, scarves, wooden spoons, etc. to your dance.

Books Presented

Book cover for Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton

Join twirling pigs, fiddle-playing cows, and other unforgettable animals in their barnyard dance! With rhythmic rhyming text, this book is guaranteed to get kids and adults spinning, swinging, and prancing with the high-spirited cast of characters!
Book cover for Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae

Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music.
Book cover for The Ants Who Couldn't Dance by Susan Rich Brooke

The Ants Who Couldn't Dance by Susan Rick Brooke

When the music starts playing, everyone can dance … except the ants. They can lift, build, and dig, so why can’t they twirl, dip, and jig? As the ants try to dance, they discover they are better together in this toe-tapping tale of cooperation and teamwork.
Book cover for Bella Ballerina by Sharon M. Draper

Bella Ballerina by Sharon M. Draper

At her first ballet recital, a young ballerina overcomes a bout of stage fright to help a fellow dancer in need.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Silly Dance Contest

By Jim Gill

Dance any way you want to
Dance any way you please
Dance any way you want to
But stop when I say freeze. Repeat.

Jump as high as you want to…
Dance as fast as you want to…
Dance as slow as you want to…

Crafts and Activities

Coloring page featuring Gerald the Giraffe dancing.

Dance Coloring Page

 

 

A dancer created from a paper plate and construction paper.

Paper Plate Dancer

Additional Books

Book cover for Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems

Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems

Gerald the elephant is certain that he cannot dance but his friend Piggie convinces him to try.

Book cover for Barn Dance! by Bill Martin

Barn Dance! by Bill Martin

Unable to sleep on the night of a full moon, a young boy follows the sound of music across the fields and finds an unusual barn dance in progress.
Book cover for How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle

How Do You Wokka-Wokka? by Elizabeth Bluemle

A young boy who likes to “wokka-wokka, shimmy-shake, and shocka-shocka” gathers his neighbors together for a surprise celebration.
Book cover for Dance! by Elisha Cooper

Dance! by Elisha Cooper

Come join the dance company.

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