Over the years that I’ve been an elementary music teacher, some of my favorite (and most fun!) moments have been to watch my students engage with songs and pieces through play and movement. In my classroom, I love finding different ways to introduce new songs to my students, whether it’s through stories, games, visuals, hand motions, dances, or all of the above! Now, being the mom of a toddler and teaching songs to her in those many of those same ways, I am continuously amazed at what she picks up and retains (I also laugh a lot at everything else she picks up and retains… One time I caught her pretending to clean up after our dog, but that’s a story for another day).

Many young children love getting the chance to act stories out, and many young children also love getting to choose what happens in the story. What they don’t know is that when they are playing in those ways, they are making connections to what they’ve observed or experienced, exercising that “improvising” muscle that kids are so wonderful at using, and building their confidence in making choices. This is the beauty and importance of the imagination!

Any songs or rhymes that you can act out with your child or change to give them a choice are simple opportunities that can spark those big imaginations in those tiny humans.

Just a few ideas:

• Having kids pretend that Old MacDonald’s Farm has all types of animals living on it – not just your typical farm ones, even though those are pretty awesome :P. My daughter would probably say, “Unicorns!” to which i would ask her, “What sound do you think unicorns make?” (Do yo know? Because I don’t. If you do, please enlighten me).
• Acting out “Five Little Speckled Frogs” with your kids. What could they use for a “log?” What food do they want to munch on as frogs? How do they want to jump into the pool?
• Having kids choose another mode of transportation and action (that sounds so formal) for “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” The possibilities are endless. Drive your car? Fly your plane? Glide on your hoverboard? Or whatever it is that kids ride these days?

Here is a song that I initially wrote in college as part of a project in which I composed short songs each with a specific music literacy focus. As I’ve taught it through the years, however, I’ve realized that beyond me using it to teach certain rhythmic and melodic concepts (i.e. high/low sounds, do, quarter notes and eighth notes), kids love using their imaginations with this song. They can come up with the funniest things to say at the end of the song. We also sometimes change it from a coffee shop to a doughnut shop and fill up the box with doughnuts. I hope that you and your children enjoy learning and acting this one out together!

Coffee, coffee from the shop,
Fill my cup 'til I say, "Stop!"
1-2-3-4... STOP!
(Ouch, that's hot!)
(Ooh, that's cold!)
(Yum, that's good!)
(Whatever your kid – or you – wants to say! :) )

Crayons and melodies © 2012

Coloring sheets for this song will soon be available – STAY TUNED!

Happy music-making and crafting!

– Hannah