Today’s pirates are going to use a treasure that’s buried deep inside–their voices! The tune is Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. The last line of each verse can be adapted for lots of different pirate actions. Let the kids think of some, too.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea, deep blue sea, deep blue sea.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea. Swab the deck.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea, deep blue sea, deep blue sea.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea. Bury some treasure.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea, deep blue sea, deep blue sea.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea. Hoist the Jolly Roger.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea, deep blue sea, deep blue sea.
Pirates sail on the deep blue sea. Walk the plank.
Songs are an effective tool for various skills including auditory memory, careful listening, vocabulary, rhythm, patterning, language, voice expression and more. Singing can help kids practice patience when having to wait or give them something to do rather than be bored. It’s a good strategy to use for self-regulation and can be calming or energizing. Open up the treasure trunk and let your voices shine.
Any more suggestions for some pirate song actions?
We’ll be going on vacation in the car, honk, honk.
Taking turns requires several behaviors on the part of the child. First and foremost are self-regulation and impulse control. Being able to wait is another skill. The child often needs to listen and watch for clues that signal the end of the other person’s turn. The child who is having a turn may be the star attraction and the waiting child needs to be content not being the focus of attention. All this and adults expect kids to be patient, too? Learning all these behaviors may require some help. Here is a simple song that kids can sing whenever they are waiting for a turn. (tune-Mulberry Bush)