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