Chanting rhymes and poems is just as important for preschoolers as singing songs. When you are chanting, it gives you a chance to focus on language and literacy skills a little more than when you are singing. It’s important to emphasize rhyming schemes, enunciate words more clearly and speak expressively.
Down Around The Corner is a cute little rhyme that I use in my lesson plan that features If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. In this lesson play I use it as a welcoming activity in the place of our Hello Song, but this rhyme could really be used at any point in a preschool music class.
This rhyme has plenty of easy hand motions that could go along with it – holding up fingers to count with, the child marching in to the shop, putting your hand behind your back to “take one away”.
Here are the words:
Down around the corner in the bakery shop
Were (five) yummy cookies with sprinkles on top.
Along came (child’s name) with a dollar to pay;
(He/she) buys a cookie and takes one away.
Instead of starting with 5 cookies, you could start with the number of students in your class. Use each child’s name as you count down how many cookies are left.
I always love including simple props whenever it’s possible. This would be a fun activity have paper or felt cutouts of cookies and the students could each take one from the middle of the circle when it’s their turn.
Looking For More Simple Music Activities:
- A Goodbye Song Using Open Shut Them
- I Am Driving To The Tune Of Mary Had A Little Lamb
- Hey Lolly: An Easy Sing-A-Long Song
- The Leaves On The Tree To The Tune Of The Wheels On The Bus
- Cool Cats by Janet Channon: A Copy Cat Song