Implementation of a rhythm and movement intervention to support self-regulation skills of preschool-aged children in disadvantaged communities

Self-regulation skills are an important predictor of school readiness and early school achievement. Research identifies that experiences of early stress in disadvantaged households can affect young children’s brain architecture, often manifested in poor self-regulatory functioning. Although there are documented benefits of coordinated movement activities to improve self-regulation, few interventions have focused exclusively on music and rhythmic activities. This study explores the effectiveness of a preschool intervention, delivered across 8 weeks, which focused on coordinated rhythmic movement with music to improve self-regulation and executive function. The study involved 113 children across three preschools in disadvantaged communities. The intervention group received 16 sessions of a rhythm and movement program over 8 weeks, whereas the control group undertook the usual preschool program. Executive functions were directly assessed, and teachers reported on children’s self-regulation before and after the intervention. Path analyses found positive intervention effects for emotional regulation reported by teachers and, for boys, on the measure of shifting in the executive function assessment. Teacher-reported cognitive and behavioral regulation also improved in one research site. These early findings suggest that a rhythm and movement intervention has the potential to support the development of self-regulation skills in preschool; however, further research is required.