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