So far playground time has helped kids learn some basic reading skills-making connections between text and experience-and promoted physical development. That’s something to sing and swing about.
Here’s a simple song that uses the Mulberry Bush tune:
This is the way we swing on the swing,
swing on the swing, swing on the swing.
This is the way we swing on the swing,
at the playground.
This is the way we slide on the slide
…. at the playground.
This is the way we climb the bars
… at the playground.
This is the way we run on the grass
… at the playground.
Why sing? Good question. Singing helps develop language, vocabulary, sentence structure and syntax knowledge. Plus, it encourages rhythm and the coordination of music and movement. Music, in turn, helps promote math skills. The spaces between notes prepare the brain wiring for understanding the spaces between numbers and the up and down sequence of notes mirrors how numbers go up and down in value. Music is often a shared activity. It can be the vehicle for making friends. I know it’s not easy as a parent or caregiver to sing with the kids at the playground but it really adds to the learning value. And the FuN!! Is this doable for you? Does knowing how important it is help?