Preschool Sing
Sing
Introduction
Singing helps your child learn how to hear smaller sounds in words. Learning to hear and break down parts of words help your child develop phonological awareness, which will help him learn to read.
Do not be afraid of being silly or singing off-key; your child will not mind at all. He is more likely to love the great bonding experience of singing with you! Children also remember things better when they are said in a rhyme or sung to a catchy tune.
Recommended Activities
Matching Pictures and Songs
Prepare picture cards related to nursery songs. For example, use a picture of a star to refer to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” song, and a picture of sheep to refer to “Baa Baa Black Sheep” song. You may also add in sight words, such as “star” or “sheep” on the cards. Sing the nursery songs together as your child picks different cards.
To extend the activity, you can prepare an additional set of picture cards - you can use 4 different pairs of cards with similar pictures for each pair. Randomly place the sets of cards with pictures facing down. Engage your child in a friendly game to find matching picture cards.
To add on to the activity, you can dance together with your child by doing actions as you sing along. Introduce action words written on paper to help your child recognize and link the words with their respective actions.
Dramatic Play
Have fun with your child by pretending to be characters of nursery songs and rhymes such as “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. Such pretend play helps your child better understand and remember the songs and rhymes.
To extend the activity, introduce new elements such as plot twist to the scenario or new characters. For example, adding a new animal on Old MacDonald’s farm and changing the song accordingly.
Dance and Freeze
Simply sing nursery songs and dance together with your child. Stop singing and freeze your actions at various points of the song. The magic key to resume the song is for your child to recall the last word that was sung! Introduce the word to your child, and have your child repeat the word. You can then start singing and dancing together again.
To extend the activity, you can guide your child to write down the various “magic” words.
Recommended Books
Title: Five Fuzzy Chicks
Author: Diana Murray
Illustrator: Sydney Hanson
Publisher: Imprint, 2020.
OverDrive Link: https://nlb.overdrive.com/media/5232292
It’s time for bed, but these five chicks are full of energy! They race out of the coop to visit all of the other animals. But the dog is so snuggly and the hay is so comfy, and these five fuzzy chicks can’t help but fall asleep one by one. Before long, the sleeping chicks are scattered all over the farm! What will Mama Hen do?
Title: The Croaky Pokey!
Author: Ethan Long
Publisher: New York: Holiday House, 2019. ©2011.
Location: Early Literacy Poetry & Rhymes
Call Number: English 398.8 LON
In a zany variation on the beloved song and game, an unsuspecting fly suggests to a group of musical frogs that it’s time to do the Croaky Pokey. Each goofy frog gets a chance to show off its dance moves, hopping and bopping around the pond. But will the fly figure out that these frogs are really after some lunch? That’s what it’s all about!
Title: The Wheels on the Bus
Illustrator: Annie Kubler
Publisher: Swindon, UK: Child’s Play (International) Ltd, 2018.
Location: Early Literacy Poetry & Rhymes
Call Number: English 398.8 KUB
This award-winning series has been specifically designed for babies. A great introduction to books through well-known nursery rhymes and interactive text. Singing songs and rhymes is the perfect way to bond with your baby and share quality time. It also aids language development by introducing them to the natural sounds and patterns of speech. Combining these with actions also stimulates the brain and helps muscle development.
Title: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Author: Jenny Copper
Illustrator: Carrie Hennon
Publisher: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Imagine That Publishing, Ltd, [2019] ©2019.
Location: Early Literacy Sense & Sensations
Call Number: English 398.8 COP
Little learners will love wiggling the cuddly star puppet whilst enjoying the classic rhyme ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’. With cute illustrations throughout, plus plenty of opportunities to sing along, this title makes an ideal choice for parents wanting to encourage the development of fine motor skills in their little ones.
All synopsis taken from the respective publishers. The book covers are the copyright of the respective publishing companies.