Today’s kindergarten readiness play-of-the-day for fun and learning is going bananas. Have you heard the Peel Bananas rap? There’s a Youtube video of it below. The words are simple and the rhythm very catchy.
Bananas, u-nite!
Peel bananas. Peel, peel bananas.
Peel bananas. Peel, peel bananas.
Slice bananas. Slice, slice bananas.
Slice bananas. Slice, slice bananas.
Mix bananas. Mix, mix bananas.
Mix bananas. Mix, mix bananas.
Eat bananas. Eat, eat bananas.
Eat bananas. Eat, eat bananas.
Go bananas. Go, go bananas.
Go bananas. Go, go bananas. Banana SPLIT!
There are other verses you can make up if you are making banana cookies (smoosh bananas) or smoothies (blend bananas) or covering them with peanut butter and nuts (roll bananas). This appeals to very young children and older ones. Children’s brains are familiar with rhythm from before birth with the beating of the mother’s heart. For all of us, there is the rhythm of breathing. Nature has a rhythm with day/night and the seasons. Each and every language has a unique rhythm. Both music and math have rhythmic patterns.
Rhythm, like other patterns, helps for learning and memory. The underlying rhythm of the Peel Banana rap will help children remember the words. As groups say it together, kids are learning to listen for clues, matching themselves to others, and experiencing how it feels to be part of the group, like the bananas in a bunch. Can your child Go Bananas?