Encouraging DD to do the actions to songs at nursery and singing group.

[ElleOhElle]

DD is 15 months, has been able to do the diamond for twinkle twinkle for months and can do the twinkling finger movements. She can also do the actions to wind the bobbin up and a few other songs. Nursery have commented that she doesn't do any actions with them (she goes twice a week), I've told them she can and they said they'll keep encouraging her. I also take her a Jo jingles type group and she doesn't do any actions there either. She's a day dreamer and takes everything in but would really like her join in.
Any tips?

She's young - ds is nearly 5 and rarely does the actions. Not everyone's an extrovert, and everyone develops at their own pace.

DD1 never did any actions or even sang along at groups/pre-school.

She would regale me with the whole class, songs in key, complete actions on the way home in the car. She still hates to be the centre of attention now but has finally (at 5.8) started joining in with singing at school (She sings the songs they learn in assembly and her choir club to us at home all the time!)

You can't make them join in, you can give them the experience and encouragement but the rest is up to them.

I used to worry as my DD would never join in stuff at her music class or the singing at tumble tots. She was a watcher not a joiner.

She is fine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not forcing her, I'm just letting her take everything in. I just worried a bit because the nursery picked up on it.

Dd1 would never join in with actions. Ever. Or sing the songs if she thought she was being watched.

At 5yo (reception) she was in the junior chorus of a panto (and every year since). She sings and does the dance/actions as required. She recently had her first audion for a musical and got in against lots of other children.

She still doesn't like standard actions for a song. But put it on stage and she'll do it with gusto.

DS (2.5y) started joining in action songs at about 18m old, so your DD is probably a bit young yet.

Now he's 2.5, DS just shouts "stop mummy me no like it" whenever I sing

HaHa RueDeWakening, they're cheeky little things aren't they?

15 months is really young to be doing actions. I've not seen any babies that young doing any meaningful actions and I go to a number of different baby groups (including one with 90 kids!!) so I think doing twinkle twinkle and wind the bobbin up already is good! Our DS (23 months) tends to join in more when there are instruments involved. He is not as interested if there is nothing physical (like a puppet or toy or bubbles or book) to watch (other than a person) or actually play with. He is only in recent months more interested in dancing (which he now loves) and doing more actions. We do think he may be musical though - he loves banging on our drums and piano! Just more in a physical kind of way, if that makes sense.

Just keep making it fun! Sit her on your lap and move her arms/hands for her. Do hem yourself in a very extravert way to make her laugh and she will probably join in too. Don't worry though - just keep singing with her as much as possible. It's a great way to help with her language skills.