Allow your daughter to play her favorite CD album or to choose from your music collection. If she heard a song in school, like a nursery rhyme or the latest pop song, you can try to get a recording of the tune.
Ask your daughter what kind of dance forms she is interested in learning. She may want to learn free-form dancing, just doing what feels good, or she might want to try a specific form of dance to match the music she picked. Encourage her to watch a TV music video or online video showing examples of salsa, hip hop, ballroom or modern dance.
Prepare a spacious dance area. Clearing a large space in the living room, downstairs, or out in the backyard will let you dance together with plenty of room. Make sure the surface is sturdy and not cracked or, for outdoor dancing, avoid any holes. If dancing indoors, make sure the floor is carpeted, or padded in some way, maybe with a rubber mat. Avoid dancing on a rug, as you can slip if the rug is not firmly in place.
Teach her to move with the beat. Whether you are an expert dancer or feel embarrassed on a dance floor, it is important to dance alongside your daughter. If your daughter is ready to show off her moves, let her make the first movement to the beat. If she is shy, swing your hips to invite her into the first beat.
Encourage your daughter to follow your moves and take the dance in her own direction. Make her feel comfortable with the way she moves her body. If she twists her hips, mimic her moves. If she waves her hands in the air, do the same, or add a twist to show the creativity in dancing.
If your child wants to learn hip hop, for example, watch a pre-screened music video to practice the moves together. If you have a TV or computer in the room where you're dancing, put it on while you dance. For example, iTunes has a hip hop video which gives instructions on basic hip hop moves, more modern moves and break dancing. You also can play a computer game which teaches how to move like the characters in the game, such as on Sesame Street.