25 Feb
2009
As many of you know, I teach Sign Language to babies. I have three classes running this term. My classes are a combination of teaching individual signs, singing songs that incorporate signs and sharing stories around babies and signing. Over and over again parents tell me they love the songs. Their babies respond to them and certain songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” will often calm an agitated baby. Even during class if one or two of the babies are fussy, I’ll stop what I’m teaching and get everyone to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle” to help soothe them and it works almost every time. One of the songs we sing all the time is called “Changing Diapers”. These are the words: (To the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”). Parents repeatedly tell me it makes changing diapers a lot easier if their baby won’t stay still.
Changing diapers, changing diapers
Lots of fun, lots of fun
You’re no longer stinky, you’re no longer stinky
Nice clean bum, nice clean bum
Susan has offered us more ideas around singing with children.
Let’s Sing
by Susan Loughrin
List all of the folk songs that you know from your childhood. Sing with your child! Teach your child all of these songs that you remember. Enjoy the wonder of singing a song and just swinging your arms together.
Do you remember any movements that went along with these songs? Try them out again-even if you only remember a few movements. Muscle memory is an important form of memory for the brain and body connection. Giving a movement to the words of the songs implants them for later recall. Keep it simple! Sing and move in a way that feels natural to you and your child. After all, this is how the movements originated in the first place. The spontaneity of play while singing words that meant something to the singers. What do these songs mean to you and your child?
Moving it further:
1. Start a song circle with your parent/child group. Sing with friends in community; parents and children. If you remember 5 songs, your friends will remember 5 songs and perhaps some will be different than yours! Keep in mind to use what you know and what is available to you. Joyful spontaneous singing!
2. Change the words to songs you know as you sing with your child. Take a familiar tune and add a story from your life. Play with the words. Have your child change the words to describe what he/she is doing at that moment.
a. Example: (to the tune of…)Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
When you put your jammies on, I will sing this little song
You will start to close your eyes, it won’t be a big surprise
When you start to go to sleep, I will kiss your chubby cheek.
Resources:
Sing Out! http://www.singout.org/rus.html
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