Tap-a-Doodle-Doo!

Can a rooster play the drums? As it turns out, Yes! Children love this very silly activity to play with their coffee can drums:

Children love the word “tap-a-doodle-doo” and the other “-a-doodle-doo” words! At any rate, they always enjoy singing along with the silly words to this activity, from my book “Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Rhythm Instruments and More for Active Learning.”

 

Tap on the drum with one finger and sing to the tune of “Jimmy Crack Corn”:

This is how I tap-a-doodle-doo,
This is how I tap-a-doodle-doo,
This is how I tap-a-doodle-doo,
I tap-a-doodle, tap-a-doodle-doo!

 Additional verses:

This is how I flick-a-doodle-doo…
(Hold your third finger with your thumb and release it to “flick” on the drum)

This is how I pat-a-doodle-doo…
(Pat on drum with your whole hand)

This is how I thumb-a-doodle-doo…
(Tap on drum with your thumb)
Invite children to think up new ways to “doodle-doo” on the drum.

Variation: Children love thinking up new nonsense words. What would be another funny end to these words? Maybe “tappa-wappa-wham”? “Tappa-deedle-dee?” Try these, then ask the children if they can think of more funny word endings.

Learning benefits of “Tap-a-Doodle-Doo” include:

                        Phonemic awareness (putting words together with “-a-doodle- doo”)

                        Fine motor skills

                        Curiosity (exploring music and instruments)

                        Improvisation and creative thinking

                        Social skills (sharing ideas and respecting those of others)

Note: Artwork like the adorable drumming rooster above is available at the Etsy shop Art Bug Illustrations.