In an earlier article, we spoke enthusiastically about the importance of music in child development. As we said at the time, “Immersing your little one in a daily ‘bath’ of music is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. The benefits of early exposure to music—better emotional development, higher academic performance, improved memory, and enhanced creativity (when it’s happy music )—are well documented.”
Expanding on that notion, the focus of this article is on music participation—specifically, singing.
Participation in music provides your little one with unique experiences and skills. Music stimulates children to use words in ways that convey meaning and are, at the same time, engaging. Each song sung provides insights into a child’s interests and abilities, and allows the child to express what they know.
Singing also can help teach basic skills and concepts; when songs are repeated, these skills and concepts are reinforced. Introducing gestures or movements for your child to make when singing results in a more memorable song, and thus a more effective teaching tool.
We’re excited to share three songs for you and your little one to sing together. The music was composed and performed by William Weisbach, a producer of award-winning media productions and sound design for such companies as Disney, Hasbro, and Teaching Strategies.
Even if your child isn’t yet singing or capable of making hand gestures, you are. So, as the music plays, let your little one experience these gestures and movements vicariously through you.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Begin by playing the music several times through to acquaint your child with the melody, rhythm and tempo. Don’t focus on the words at this point. Simply hum along.
- Once your child is familiar with the melody, introduce the gestures (indicated beside each lyric line below).
- Play the music, and then hum or sing the lyrics while gesturing. Continue until your little one is comfortable with the finger play. Then, focus on the words. Over time, and with lots of practice, your child will learn the lyrics and coordinate them with the gestures.
The itsy bitsy spider crawled up the waterspout. (Spider climbing gesture: touch your right thumb to your left index finger, then touch your left thumb to your right index finger; repeat as you gradually raise both hands to “crawl” the “spider” up the spout.)
Down came the rain… (Start with both arms raised; wiggle fingers as you pull arms down to simulate falling rain.)
And washed the spider out. (Quickly sweep both hands outward, like an umpire calling a runner safe.)
Out came the sun… (Use outstretched arms to outline a large circle overhead.)
And dried up all the rain. (Start with both arms low; wiggle fingers as you raise arm ups to simulate evaporating water.)
And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again. (Repeat spider-climbing gesture and “crawl” the “spider” up the spout.)
(4 bars, then REPEAT)
If You’re Happy and You Know It
- Begin by playing the music several times through to acquaint your child with the melody, rhythm and tempo. Don’t focus on the words at this point. Simply hum along and gesture—clap hands, stomp feet, and play peekaboo—when prompted by the music.
- Once your child is familiar with the melody and gestures, introduce the words. Over time, your little one will learn the lyrics and sing along!
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
(REPEAT verse; change clap to stomp.)
If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp, stomp)
(REPEAT verse; change stomp to peekaboo.)
If you’re happy and you know it, peekaboo! (peekaboo gesture)
(REPEAT verse; change peekaboo to child’s name.)
If you’re happy and you know it, say your name (child’s name)
(FINALE) If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, say your name. (child’s name)
Old Macdonald
- Begin by playing the song several times through to acquaint your child with the melody, rhythm and tempo. Explain that this song is about a farm. Once your child is familiar with the melody, start singing!
- Even though the lyrics may not yet be familiar, encourage your child to sing the animal sounds and the repeating E-I-E-I-O refrain. Over time, he or she will learn all the words, and this will surely become a favorite song!
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
And on this farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O.
With a moo-moo here, and a moo-moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo,
Everywhere a moo-moo,
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
And on this farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O.
With an oink-oink here, and an oink-oink there,
Here an oink, there an oink,
Everywhere an oink-oink,
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
And on this farm he had a chick, E-I-E-I-O.
With a cluck-cluck here, and a cluck-cluck there,
Here a cluck, there a cluck,
Everywhere a cluck-cluck,
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
