Does anyone besides me remember that old song Skinnamarink? Some children’s entertainers have performed it in the not too distant past. The words to the very last line are “I love you,” and the actions are to point to an eye, put hands on the heart and point to someone.
This month being February and valentines, the blog topic has been about being friends and other social concerns. Songs and singing are one way to interact with others and to help kids learn and practice social skills as part of kindergarten readiness. Singing together is a non-threatening way of participating in a group. Action songs like London Bridge or Ring Around The Rosie are easy enough for toddlers and require cooperation. Children have to watch and listen to each other in order for the song to work.
Some songs have a lesson between the notes but any fun song will engage children with others. (Or you can make one up using new words to familiar tunes.) Another plus is a group can be any size and have singers of any age! And we can sing just about anywhere, too, at any time.
After all, The More We Get Together…! What songs do you and your child like to sing?