Once I read a story about a leopard. To introduce the book, I told the children about leopards and emphasized their lovely spots. I must have said the words “leopards” and “spots” twenty times. When I started the first page, which showed the leopard, and said “Once there was a leopard,” a little boy called […]
Tag Archives: preschool
This article of mine appears in the current issue of “Teaching Young Children”: ABBY CONNORS I’m clapping to the beat as we begin music time. Soon Nyra, Mason, and Aditya are clapping, too. Sophia pats the floor to the beat. While Sophia responds to the music differently from the other children, she too is […]
How amazing are preschoolers? They may not have the knowledge that we do, butmaybe their flexible thinking processes could teach us a thing or two… (from ScienceDaily.com) Preschoolers can outsmart college students at figuring out gizmos Date: March 6, 2014 Preschoolers can be smarter than college students at figurin g out how unusual toys and […]
Gogo from “Too-da-la” CD by Kindermusik Available from Kindermusik.com/ en/albums/219-too-da-la When your class needs a little silliness to work off some steam, “Gogo” is perfect. This is an African movement/dance song. The motions are fun and there’s even a part where children can make a funny face! I usually make extra-silly faces myself to amuse and […]
Peepsqueak Wants a Friend by Leslie Ann Clark I just discovered this story recently and my students love it! All of the other chicks in the farmyard are in 2’s (they each have a friend) but Peepsqueak is only 1. He goes off to look for a friend, telling each pair of friends (I sing this to the […]
Birthdays bring out a lot of fun and funny comments and conversations! First child: Saturday’s my birthday! Second child: No, it isn’t! First child: Yeah it is! Second child: No, your party’s on Saturday! First Child: Then when’s my birthday? Second Child: Today! Child: It’s my birthday today! Me: Happy Birthday! How old are you? […]
This article of mine originally appeared in New Jersey Family. Creativity Boosters By Abigail Connors When my children were preschoolers, a typical day included a “vacation” behind the living-room couch (complete with backpack “suitcases” filled with toys), my 4-year-old interviewing the cat (using her tail as a microphone), and performance art involving everything from leaves and […]
“I don’t sing because I’m happy, I’m happy because I sing.” – William James The early 20th-century philosopher and psychologist William James realized the paradox of singing – that it actually helps us feel happier and increases our emotional well-being. Currently, the British researcher Graham Welch has discovered the same effect. Singing is also beneficial […]
Ladybug Frank Leto, “Time for Music 2” Available on iTunes “Ladybug” is a sweet and simple song and fingerplay with a twist – the Latin American rhythms and instrumentation used by the musician/composer Frank Leto. This song is always a favorite. It’s playful and fun, and easy for young children to sing along with.
Little White Duck Raffi – “Everything Grows” Available on iTunes “Little White Duck” is an all-time classic by the amazing Raffi, but I’ve found some younger teachers don’t know about it – and they should! Children can quack along with the duck, swim with the frog, crawl with the bug, and wiggle with the snake. […]
Music (and Science) For Young Children 