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.

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.

Magnetic Board Songs

I decided to throw in Five Little Ducks and Five Little Speckled Frogs into our group of songs as well because these were classics while I was growing up. I have a magnetic board that I bring in and the kids help me with the sound effects and counting as well. Five Little Speckled Frogs happens to be requested often (and tears are shed when I don't bring it in!); a favorite!

Here are the lyrics just in case you don't know them:

Five Little Ducks

Five little ducks went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the Mama Duck said, "quack, quack, quack"
Four little ducks came waddling back.

Verse 2: Four little ducks went out to play...
Verse 3: Three little ducks went out to play...
Verse 4: Two little ducks went out to play...

Verse 5: One little duck went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the Mama Duck said, "quack, quack, quack"
No little ducks came waddling back.
But when the Daddy Duck said, "QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!"
Five little ducks came waddling back.

Five Little Speckled Frogs

Five little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs - yum, yum!
One jumped into the pool ("splash") where it was nice and cool
Then there were four speckled frogs. Ribbit, ribbit!

Verse 2: Four little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...
Verse 3: Three little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...
Verse 4: Two little speckled frogs sitting on a speckled log...

Verse 5: One little speckled frog sitting on a speckled log
Eating the most delicious bugs - yum, yum!
He jumped into the pool ("splash") where it was nice and cool
Then there were no more speckled frogs. Ribbit, ribbit!

Hello, Friends (Hymn 254)

Like with the ribbon shaker, I knew I wanted egg shakers. So I chose the song Hello, Friends for this one. This is not a well known song, but I LOVE it. Simple and cute and has a great meaning.

Props: I took leftover Easter eggs and filled them with dried beans. Then I taped the eggs to the best of my ability to keep the kids from opening them and making a mess at church.
The purpose: Just a prop to keep the kids engaged while singing this great song.
How: The kids either get 1-2 eggs each (depending on the size of the class - remember, I have four different nursery classes) and we shake to the beat of the songs.

This is definitely one of the kid's favorites. A must have in a nursery basket.

In the Leafy Treetops (Hymn 240)

I'll be honest, this isn't my favorite song. However, the kiddos love the props for In the Leafy Treetops, so we keep it going.

Props: We have little fabric birds and flowers on popsicle sticks for each verse of this song.
The purpose: To recognize the beauty of nature and the creations.
How: We make the birds "fly" and the flowers "nod" during each verse.

Luckily for me, these props were handed down from the last Nursery Song Leader. I took it and ran with it.

I Am Like a Star (Hymn 163)

I use these handouts for both I Am Like a Star and sometimes even Twinkle Twinkle. I started off using a flashlight as well, but decided it isn't necessary (and it doesn't get dark enough to appreciate the flashlight).

Props: Printed off these cute stars on a pentagon shape onto colored scrapbook paper. Then I glued and taped them onto popsicle sticks.
The purpose: A reminder of how special we are and how our own light can shine.
How: Each child sits down reverently on their carpet square and raises/waves/twists the star handout.

I Want to Be a Missionary Now (Hymn 168)

I had never even heard this song before until my husband started singing it with my kids. I love I Want to Be a Missionary Now now. :)

Props: On pinterest I found the idea for these drums. I took the empty, stripped cans that I used in a Knock 'Em Down circus game and: 1) cut the ends off of balloons and taped them tightly to the top, then 2) recovered them with scrapbook paper.
The purpose: To imitate a missionary's footfall with the beating of a drum.
How: Sometimes we march and drum, sometimes we sit and drum while singing.

A Happy Helper (Hymn 197)

I had to use the traditional ribbon shakers somehow, and this is the song I chose to use them with: A Happy Helper. Great song, not well known. Mind you, I also occasionally use them with Do As I'm Doing as well.

Props: Various ribbons taped onto popsicle sticks.
The purpose: Just to keep the kids engaged while singing.
How: Pass out the ribbon shakers and get singing!

The kids really love the traditional ribbon shaker. Got to use them for at least one song!

Smiles (Hymn 267)

You just HAVE to use Smiles when singing with the Nursery.

Props: I use "grandpa" handouts for each child, all colored differently.
The purpose: To help encourage the kids to make a choice to be happy no matter what.
How: While we sing our song, we constantly try and help our "grumpy grandpas" to be happier by flipping the grandpa upside down or right-side up.

The Chapel Doors (Hymn 156)

The Chapel Doors is a nice and simple one.


Props: Large rendition of a church (each half is the size of an 8.5x11 sheet of paper, secured on a posterboard). I think I got the template from Sugardoodle.net. When the doors open, there is a picture of Jesus underneath.
The purpose: To help remind the kiddos that we focus on Christ at Church and should respect and revere Him while here.
How: Each child sits down reverently on their carpet square and I slowly display the Church while we sing. For every child, I open the doors "to Jesus" at least once.

I Am a Child of God (Hymn 2)

I knew that I HAD to use I Am a Child of God in our repertoire. I had to think long and hard as to how to keep the kids engaged in such a reverent song without hand motions either...and so...

Props: I use crowns for each of the kids and one large mirror.
The purpose: Our Heavenly Father is a great father, leader and king; which makes each one of us very special princes/princesses.
How: Each child sits down reverently on their carpet square and puts the crown on. While we sing the first verse of the song, I travel around the room allowing each child the chance to see their own reflection and to "remember just how special they are".

The kids LOVE looking in the mirror. Love it. If I had more time, I would've printed off or made my own crowns, but I decided to just hit up Burger King for their free ones...and they work just fine for now.

The Start of an Over-The-Top Song Leader

 Months ago, I happened to "mention" to the Nursery Leader that my dream calling would be to be the Nursery Song Leader in our ward. I soon found that the Angels were listening and my request was granted! So I quickly got to work as my calling would begin with the start of January 2013.

Now I soon realized that I appear to have a different philosophy about teaching music to these kids than most bloggers I have found. And that's okay. I just honestly believe that my "role" is to 1) teach the kids to love music, 2) to encourage their budding testimonies, and 3) to give them an early foundation of both preschool and church songs (majority from the Children's Songbook of course). 

I have not been disappointed - this is my favorite calling I have ever had!

First thing I did was to compile a huge list of songs that I wanted to use throughout the year. I have adult ADD (not really, but I get bored really fast), so I couldn't grasp the concept of working the same 5 songs all year long. 52 weeks of the same 5 songs? Oh. My. Word. I would hate it. While I understand the importance of reiterating songs to really teach the lyrics, I also understand that variety helps the kids stay engaged. So each month I focus on a set of 8 songs: 4 motion songs and 4 prop songs, with an additional 2 rotating songs each week. Therefore, I prepare my music bucket each week for 10 songs (and have a few backups just in case). At the beginning of May, I will start the sets again...so we will go through each set three times. Impressed by my math skills? :) The kids get variety AND lots of practice with each song. 

This is my master list of songs - Motion Song Index and Prop Song Index. I have it on a clipboard along with Hymn Numbers and listed associated props (where appropriate). It is a great go-to reference for me and help for any substitutes that I might need. I also have the lyrics for every single song (preschool and Church related) just in case I have a brain-freeze moment.

Motion Song Index:

• Daddy's Homecoming (Hymn 210)
• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (Hymn 275)
• Hello Song (Hymn 260)
• Hinges (Hymn 277)
• If You're Happy And You Know It (Hymn 166)
• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Kindness Begins With Me (Hymn 145)
• Listen, Listen (Hymn 107)
• My Hands (Hymn 273)
• Once There Was a Snowman (Hymn 249)
• Popcorn Popping (Hymn 242)
• Shake Your Sillies Out 
• The Wise Man and The Foolish Man (Hymn 281)
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (sometimes I actually bring enough small teddy bears for each child to hold one)
• Twinkle Twinkle
• Wheels on the Bus

Prop Song Index:

• A Happy Helper (Hymn 197) - music (ribbon) shakers
• Do As I'm Doing (Hymn 276) - spinner or ribbon shakers
• Five Little Ducks - magnetic ducks to use with "story"
• Five Little Speckled Frogs - magnetic frogs and log to use with "story"
• Follow the Prophet chorus (Hymn 110) - march behind person holding the picture of the Prophet
• Fun to Do (Hymn 253) - "singing a song" is fun to do with instruments: tambourines, handbell wristbands, maracas, or rhythm sticks
• Hello, Friends (Hymn 254) - egg shakers
• I am a Child of God (Hymn 2) - mirror and crowns
• I am Like a Star (Hymn 163) - star prop on popsicle stick
• I Want to Be a Missionary Now (Hymn 168) - hand drums to imitate footfall
• In the Leafy Treetops (Hymn 240) - birds and flowers
• Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (Hymn 60) - sing wearing sunbeam crown/mask with jumping actions
• Jesus Said Love Everyone (Hymn 61) - picture of Jesus and heart handouts
• Quickly I'll Obey (Hymn 197) - two sided poster board of mom/dad
• Smiles (Hymn 267) - happy/frowny "grandpas" handout
• Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear - enough small teddy bears from home so that each child helps their bears do the movements
• The Chapel Doors (Hymn 156) - large picture of church with doors that open to a picture of Jesus

 Next, I made an index card for each song with a picture on one side and the song name/hymn number on the back.

We live in a really young area, so I have 4 nursery classes: 2 senior classes and 2 junior classes. At 20+ minutes each, I get quite the workout each Sunday. And I love every minute of it. :) Each class is made up of such unique little personalities and so there HAS to be praying and planning involved. Otherwise, utter chaos!

My kiddos in my two senior nursery classes get to take turns choosing from the weekly song list and they love this. They really get into it. I can't do this with my younger kiddos though, they just don't "get it" yet. So with the two junior classes, I pre-organize the song list for them to mix things up and keep them engaged. And just follow the list. It takes a little bit of planning prior to Church, but it flows pretty well now.