Some New Songs

I added in The Wise Man and the Foolish Man last week and the kids took to the actions like butter on bread. So I'm really glad I decided to add in the classic hymn (Hymn 281). I'd like to do the first verse of Book of Mormon Stories (Hymn 118) as well. So many great songs and so little time!

I have parents asking me all the time about the songs that I introduce to their kiddos and it makes me so happy. Because I guess my nursery kiddos go around the house throughout the week and are singing these songs that the parents have no recollection EVER teaching them. And the parents are so happy! Does that even make any sense?! I love this calling...how can anyone ever dread getting a Nursery calling?!

Anyway, I tried to introduce Kindness Begins with Me (Hymn 145b) last week. And I'm not sure if I love it yet or not. The method not the song! I took a thin rope and tied it into a circle. So while we sing, everyone holds on to what I refer to as the "friendship ring" and we slowly walk/travel in a circle (imagine ring-around-the-rosie, just without holding hands). I also let them take turns being in the middle of the circle while the other kids travel around them. So most of them enjoyed it and it is something different to do, I just wasn't quite sure how "successful" it is. We'll see. I really like the song though, so it is worth another try.

Jesus Said Love Everyone (Hymn 60)

I absolutely love Jesus Said Love Everyone and it is a song I wanted my own children to know from an early age. It is simple, yet sweet and is a good song to rotate through our selection.

Props: I made and laminated hearts of red, pink, and purple paper. Each has a unique "face" that the kids love to compare. I also use my favorite picture of Jesus.
The purpose: Really just a prop to hold as we are reminded of Jesus' love for us and how we should try and emulate that behavior.
How: Usually my helper holds the picture of Jesus and everyone else gets a heart.We just hold them while we sing as to not take away from the reverence of the song.

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (Hymn 2)

 Originally I created these "Sunbeam" props out of paper plates. I painted them yellow, stapled on some triangle beams, and tried to reinforce them as best I could. However, they took forever to make and still couldn't stand up to the antics of my nursery kids. We use them either as crowns or "masks" and then jump as we sing.

So over Conference weekend I realized just how hard it was going to be to reinforce them AND I needed to make 10 more for all of the new kiddos entering our classes. Way too much work.

I was really happy when I found these on the internet:

 

They are 15"x15" two-sided suns created for educators to use on bulletin boards. And they are cute as a button! So I cut out the middle of the sun, had them laminated, and they are perfect. Big, whimsical, and sturdy (at least for now)! I managed to find them for like $1.70 each over the internet, so don't pay more than that - most websites charged double for each one. Luckily, we had some funds in our Primary budget to invest. So, so cute.

Other Props

Here are two props to use just in case, but I haven't really made use of them yet...and we're in April already. I'm posting them just in case you might find them helpful.

 I made this spinner prop as an animal version of Do As I'm Doing. I still have great intentions of using it at some point, but haven't done it yet. Spinners can be done with any song though.

I created this flower bed to make sure all the kids felt included and could have the chance to pick a song or to be my special helper. With that being said, I've never used my flower beds yet. Why? I have four different classes of nursery and WAY too many kids. I can only imagine the classes erupting in chaos as I take the time to choose everyone's flower each Sunday. Plus, I run my junior classes much differently: I don't give them the option to choose the songs (I have the song list pre-organized for them and just go down the line, eliminated lots of "dead time"). Solves a lot of problems that way!

Preschool Lyrics

Here are the lyrics that prove successful for our nursery classes for Wheels on the Bus, Teddy Bear Teddy Bear, and Shake Your Sillies Out.


Wheels on the Bus

The wheels on the bus go round and round
Round and round, round and round
the wheels on the bus go round and round
All through the town

The baby on the bus goes, "wah, wah, wah"
"Wah, wah, wah", "wah, wah, wah"
The baby on the bus goes "wah, wah, wah"
All through the town

The mommy on the bus says, "I love you"
"I love you", "I love you",
The daddy on the bus says, "Love you too"
All through the town.

There are a thousand different verses of this song, but with the attention span of our nursery kids, I never do more than 3 verses of any one song. The third verse is from a Starfall.com version of it.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear pretend to fly
Teddy bear, teddy bear dance on toes
Teddy bear, teddy bear touch your nose
Teddy bear, teddy bear slap your knees
Teddy bear, teddy bear sit down please

I started off with this as one of our "motion" songs just to get the kids moving. But then I got the brilliant idea that I should use some actual teddy bears. Sure enough, I found 15 small teddy bears around the house. Now this is one of the kiddos favorite songs - they LOVE Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear. I have them hug their bear and help the bear get some exercise before the bears need to take a nap. We hug them again and put them back in the bin with their friends to nap. They are so sweet with these teddies!

Shake Your Sillies Out

I've gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out (shake from head-to-toe)
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out,
And wiggle my waggles away! (twist and shake)

Verse 2: I've gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out (clap to the beat)...
Verse 3: I've gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out (jump to the beat)...

I use this one much like If You're Happy And You Know It...if we need to get some extra energy out. My older kiddos do better with this one, but it is still fun.

Singing a Song is Fun to Do (Hymn 253)

 Every week, we sing "Singing a Song is Fun to Do..." with a different instrument that I rotate out. I have:

Maracas (7" size at Windy City Novelties)

Tambourines (5 1/2 " size at Windy City Novelties)

Handbells (Oriental Trading: Jingle Bell Wristbands)

Rhythm Sticks: Oriental Trading (forgive the bad picture)

Many of these instruments have a homemade version. However, I had so many props to make already, I had to draw the line at these instruments. The kids are always so excited to see what instrument I have for the day!

Quickly I'll Obey (Hymn 197)

This is not complicated, but I wanted to include Quickly I'll Obey. The girls LOVE to pretend to be Mother.

Props: I used a posterboard and cut out a hole for a face and a hole for an arm. Then I drew a mom on one side and a dad on the other.
The purpose: To remind us to be obedient to our parents.
How: The kids get to pretend to be Mother or Father and "tell the kids what to do" while we sing.