Head and Shoulders / Poetry in Rhythm

These games will help to grow the brains of infants and toddlers. Whether it’s through singing, dancing, cuddling, rocking, talking, smelling, or tasting, you can encourage the brain pathways to make new connections.

Music Activities



Head and Shoulders
Here is a new way to sing or say this popular song.
Head and shoulders baby, one, two, three
Head and shoulders baby, one, two, three
Head and shoulders
Head and shoulders
Head and shoulders baby, one, two three

Now say the words and do the actions.
Head and shoulders baby – touch your head and shoulders and clap on “baby.”
One – hold your right arm out straight to the side and clap once.
Two – hold your left arm out straight to the side and clap once.
Three – hold your right arm out straight to the side
Repeat Above
Next
Head and shoulders – do actions
Head and shoulders – do actions

Back to the Beginning

You can say this chant with any two body parts. Knees and ankles, nose and hips, etc.
Start slowly and go faster and faster.
 
Ideas for taking this activity to the next level:
For building confidence – "Let’s say the chant together and do the actions."

For developing the idea – "I’ll name a part of the body and you show me where it is."

For moving forward - "What are some other parts of the body that we could say in our chant?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Poetry in Rhythm
Music teaches the rhythm of language.

When you sing, you put vowels and consonants in a rhythmic pattern which enhances language.

Young children recognize words, sounds, rhythms, tones and pitches long before they talk, sing or dance. So, the more music your child has in her life, the better she will speak and read.

The following game develops rhythm through speech and develops wonderful listening skills.

Select a favorite poem or song.

I have chosen “Baa Baa Black Sheep” for this example.
Ask the children to “echo” what you say.

Adult - Baa, baa, black sheep
Children - Baa, baa, black sheep
Adult - Have you any wool?
Children - Have you any wool?
Adult - Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
Children - Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
Say each line and accent the first word.
BAA baa black sheep,
HAVE you any wool?

Now say two lines ..."Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?"

Let the children say the next two lines, “Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full."

Think of interesting ways to say tor sing the words for the children to copy.

Speaking rhythmically is a wonderful pre-reading skill.

Ideas for taking this activity to the next level:
For building confidence – I’ll say some words and you copy what I say. (use the same or a different song.)

For developing the idea – This time I’m going to sing a song just using the word “la.” See if you can copy me.

For moving forward – You sing a song and I will copy you.

Products from Discount School Supply® that I recommend:
Multicultural Velour Soft Babies - set of 4 (ALL4BY)
Green Toys Pizza Parlor Set - 27 pieces (GRNPIZZA)
Musical Scarves Movement Set - 19 pieces (DANCESET)