| There are many different songs, chants, | | | | 2. Peter Hammers |
| and games that we play with our little | | | | With this song, have the child sit on |
| ones, not even realizing that we're | | | | the floor, legs out in front and arms at |
| giving them "practice" time at muscular | | | | their sides ready to "pound" on the |
| coordination. Many young children are | | | | floor. Say each verse once, and add "all |
| little sponges when it comes to music, | | | | day long" to the end of the second time |
| rhythm, rhyming and movements! They | | | | it is said, only saying the number of |
| really become excited at the thought of | | | | hammers once, then, go on to the next |
| "acting out" to music with different | | | | verse.) *See the first verse below for |
| movements! | | | | what I mean.* |
| Below, I've included a couple | | | | Peter hammers with one hammer, one |
| "traditional" songs/chants with a few | | | | hammer, one hammer. (pound one fist on |
| variations. Try a few below and have | | | | floor) Peter hammers with one hammer all |
| some fun! | | | | day long. |
| 1. Head And Shoulders | | | | Peter hammers with two hammers, two |
| Begin by leading the children in | | | | hammers, two hammers. (pound two fists |
| touching each part of their body that | | | | on the floor) |
| corresponds to the words in the | | | | Peter hammers with three hammers, three |
| following song: | | | | hammers, three hammers. (pound two fists |
| Head and shoulders, knees and toes, | | | | and one leg/foot on the floor) |
| knees and toes. Head and shoulders, | | | | Peter hammers with four hammers, four |
| knees and toes, knees and toes, Eyes, | | | | hammers, four hammers. (pound two fists |
| and ears and mouth and nose, Head and | | | | and two legs/feet on floor) |
| shoulders, knees and toes, knees and | | | | Peter hammers with five hammers, five |
| toes. | | | | hammers, five hammers. (pound two fists |
| (A variation to this is to start as | | | | and two legs/feet on floor and shake |
| slowly as possible and then speed up and | | | | head up and down) |
| do the movements as fast as you can! The | | | | Peter's very tired now, tired now, tired |
| little ones love this, because they | | | | now. (roll over on belly, rub eyes, and |
| can't keep up. :) (This one will create | | | | lay head down on hands to pretend to |
| lots of "extra" energy and giggles.)(You | | | | sleep) |
| could also do this, and leave out the | | | | Lots more variations can be added to |
| name of the part of the body that you | | | | these songs, just use your imagination! |
| are touching, going in successive | | | | (Hint: Sometimes taking parts of other |
| order...similar to the "BINGO" song | | | | songs for children, and incorporating |
| where each letter is "clapped", only | | | | them makes a "new" and "fun" activity!) |
| with this song, it is touched but not | | | | Try it! :) |
| said instead.) | | | | |