Sing Me A Song

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “Music soothes the savage beast.”  I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have used singing to calm a frustrated, sad, angry, or out of control child.

How many songs, chants, and ditty’s can you bring to mind without much thought?  It’s often all you need to distract a preschooler when she is upset for any number of reasons.

As I sit here in front of my computer, I quickly think of many.  If you are having trouble, or can’t recall all the words to some, I can, perhaps, help you to bring some to mind.

One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, shut the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them straight
Nine, ten, a big, fat hen!

One, two, three, four, five
I caught a fish alive
Six, seven, eight, nine ten
I let him go again.
Why did you let him go?
Because, he bit my finger, so.
Which finger did he bite?
The little one, upon the right!

With Thanksgiving on the way in a few months, consider:

One little, two little, three little Indian
Four little, five little, six little Indians
Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians
Ten little Indian boys.

One little, two little, three little Pilgrims
Four little, five little, six little Pilgrims
Seven little, eight little, nine little Pilgrims
Ten little Pilgrim girls.

Feel free to change the words or make up a tune if you don’t know one.  Use finger actions on these number ditties.  Have fun singing and your little guy or gal will catch your attitude.  Sing softly and a crying baby will often quiet in order to hear what you’re singing.

I kept music on low volume most of the time when my children were young as well as in my home-based preschool day care.  Very often the children would spontaneously begin to sing along.  Others would then chime in.  So special.  Happy parenting!

Copyright 2013, Brenda Holland-Robinson