Learn and Grow with Rhythm and Flow: Rhythm Sticks

My Learn and Grow with Rhythm and Flow (LGRF) format is:

Hello
Warm Up Motor Skills
Heckity Peckity Bumble Bee
Movement Song
Pass Out Instruments
A Capella Instrument Rhyme
Movement Songs with Instruments
Collect instruments
Mellow Movement Song
Goodbye
Bubbles

Note: This post shows all the songs and chants I use when I run this program with rhythm sticks. I don't use every song and chant every time; that would make for a several-hour-long program and some very wiggly preschoolers!

Hello
"Hello, Hello"
Since LGRF is so high energy, I like to start the programs with a more mellow good morning song than other storytimes. I like this one because it has built-in movements and stretches.

Warming Up Motor Skills

"Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.

Heckity Peckity Bumble Bee

The "Heckity Peckity" chant is a great way to practice call-and-response, get to know our new friends by name, and practice counting the syllables of words.

Me and my bumblebee finger puppet

Heckity peckity bumblebee,

Won't you say your name for me?
Bzzzzz (Bee buzzes up to a child and asks their name. Let's say it's Harold.)
Everyone say Harold. (Group says name)
Can we whisper it? (whisper the name)
Can we do it on our legs? (Repeat name and pat thighs with each syllable)
Can we clap it? (Repeat name and clap with each syllable)
Now let's turn off our voice (Do a clicking motion with hand on throat and make clicking sound)
And let's just clap it (Group claps the syllables without speaking)
How many claps was that? (Group answers)
Harold's name is two claps! Who is next?

Movement Song

You could pretty much use any movement songs in this program, but there are several that I've noticed go over extra well when the kids are excited about puppets and instruments, and just need to shake their wiggles out. I usually go with one of these ten...

"Bob 'Til You Drop" by Greg and Steve

"It's Time to Stand Up" by Susan Salidor

"The Goldfish" by Laurie Berkner

"Can't Sit Still" by Greg and Steve

"Tooty Ta" by The Kiboomers

"The Freeze" by Greg and Steve

(weird video, but you can hear the song pretty well)

"Jumping and Counting" by Jim Gill

"Arms Up"

"Clap Your Hands"

"Hokey Pokey"

Pass Out Rhythm Sticks

When it's time to pass out the instruments, I tell the kids they must be sitting down calmly in order to get one. If they're extra wiggly, I might do a calming song like "Everybody Do This Just Like Me" or "Eyes are Watching, Ears are Listening," but this is only necessary about half the time. Once they see kids who are sitting down getting handed rhythm sticks or egg shakers, they get the idea and assume the position themselves. Also, since it's impossible to be handed a musical instrument and not make noise with it right away, I don't make them keep it quiet until everyone has theirs. 

A Capella Rhythm Stick Rhymes

"Little Clapping Mouse"
(each * is a time to clap or hit rhythm sticks together)

Behind the tree * *
And under the house * *
There lives a teeny * *
Tiny mouse * *
She loves to sing * *
She loves to tap * *
But most of all * *
She loves to clap * *
She claps all night * *
She claps all day * *
She claps to frighten * *
The cat away! * * * * * * * *

Jbrary does it with clapping, but this rhyme is also excellent with instruments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"If You're Happy and You Know It"

If you're happy and you know it, tap your sticks *tap tap*

If you're happy and you know it, tap your sticks *tap tap*

If you're happy and you know it, and you really wanna show it,

If you're happy and you know it, tap your sticks *tap tap*

Repeat with...

If you're happy and you know it, rub your sticks *rub together*

If you're happy and you know it, hit the floor *hit hit*

If you're happy and you know it, do all three *tap tap, rub together, hit hit*

Try to get the whole room singing with you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Rain on the Rooftop"

Rain on the rooftop

Rain on the tree

Rain on the green grass

But none on me!

Use rhythm sticks to make the beat. Hit the floor twice, then hit them together once. The rhythm is in 4/4 time. Using the first line as an example, if each beat has a number...

1-hit the floor (on "rain")

2-hit the floor (on "on")

3-hit sticks together (on "roof")

4-rest

This video will show you how the song goes, although it's not exactly the words I learned. It works as a song or a chant, depending on your level of comfort singing in front of people.

Movement Songs with Instruments

I can only keep the attention of a room full of preschoolers with musical instruments for so long, so this is the point in the program where I let recorded music do the majority of the work. I encourage the kids and grownups to dance and sing along, as well as follow the directed movements suggested in the lyrics. These songs are all fantastic for working with rhythm sticks, because they acknowledge the instruments and show the kids several different ways to use them.

"Tapping on My Sticks" by Kathy Reid-Naiman

"Lummi Stick Tap" by The Tumble Tots

"Point Your Lummi Sticks" by The Tumble Tots

Collect Rhythm Sticks

I don't try the "only those sitting down can put their instruments away" method for collecting... It does not work. By the end of the second song, they're either over using the instruments or so attached that they will sob if I try to take them away. For this reason, I simply encourage everyone to be good helpers and clean up all the instruments until they're all back in their bin. The prospect of helping me clean up is usually enough to get the clingers to relinquish their toys, especially when it's coupled with the promise that they'll get to play with them again next time.

Mellow Movement Song

The last thing I like to do before singing the goodbye song and having bubbles is one more movement song to help the littles re-compose themselves after the trauma of having to say goodbye to the toys. The best one I've found is Ella Jenkin's "Follow the Leader." 

Goodbye

"Until We Meet Again" from Out of the Box
Before singing this song, we learn a vocabulary word: clave. Clave is a type of rhythm used mostly in Afro-Cuban music, characterized by it's three-two beat. When I teach the word to preschool-age kids, I have them count to three, pause, and count to two, then do it again with clapping. The Out of the Box goodbye song uses a clave pattern, so after we learn what the word means, we practice clapping the clave pattern as we say goodbye to our friends.

Bubbles!
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next time. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles
Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song

Learn and Grow with Rhythm and Flow: Egg Shakers

My Learn and Grow with Rhythm and Flow (LGRF) format is:

Hello
Warm Up Motor Skills
Heckity Peckity Bumble Bee
Movement Song
Pass Out Instruments
A Capella Instrument Rhyme
Movement Songs with Instruments
Collect instruments
Mellow Movement Song
Goodbye
Bubbles

Note: This post shows all the songs and chants I use when I run this program with egg shakers. I don't use every song and chant every time; that would make for a several-hour-long program and some very wiggly preschoolers!

Hello
"Hello, Hello"
Since LGRF is so high energy, I like to start the programs with a more mellow good morning song than other storytimes. I like this one because it has built-in movements and stretches.

Warming Up Motor Skills

"Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.

Heckity Peckity Bumble Bee

The "Heckity Peckity" chant is a great way to practice call-and-response, get to know our new friends by name, and practice counting the syllables of words. 

Me and my bumblebee finger puppet

Heckity peckity bumblebee,

Won't you say your name for me?
Bzzzzz (Bee buzzes up to a child and asks their name. Let's say it's Harold.)
Everyone say Harold. (Group says name)
Can we whisper it? (whisper the name)
Can we do it on our legs? (Repeat name and pat thighs with each syllable)
Can we clap it? (Repeat name and clap with each syllable)
Now let's turn off our voice (Do a clicking motion with hand on throat and make clicking sound)
And let's just clap it (Group claps the syllables without speaking)
How many claps was that? (Group answers)
Harold's name is two claps! Who is next?

Movement Song

You could pretty much use any movement songs in this program, but there are several that I've noticed go over extra well when the kids are excited about puppets and instruments, and just need to shake their wiggles out. I usually go with one of these ten...

"Bop 'Til You Drop" by Greg and Steve

"It's Time to Stand Up" by Susan Salidor

"The Goldfish" by Laurie Berkner

"Can't Sit Still" by Greg and Steve

"Tooty Ta" by The Kiboomers

"The Freeze" by Greg and Steve

(weird video, but you can hear the song pretty well)

"Jumping and Counting" by Jim Gill

"Arms Up"

"Clap Your Hands"

"Hokey Pokey"

Pass Out Egg Shakers

When it's time to pass out the instruments, I tell the kids they must be sitting down calmly in order to get one. If they're extra wiggly, I might do a calming song like "Everybody Do This Just Like Me" or "Eyes are Watching, Ears are Listening," but this is only necessary about half the time. Once they see kids who are sitting down getting handed rhythm sticks or egg shakers, they get the idea and assume the position themselves. Also, since it's impossible to be handed a musical instrument and not make noise with it right away, I don't make them keep it quiet until everyone has theirs. 

A Capella Egg Shaker Rhyme

"One, Two, Shake it on Your Shoe"

(To the rhythm of "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe")

One, two, shake it on your shoe (shake eggs near shoes)

Three, four, shake it on the floor (bend down and shake eggs near floor)

Five, six, stir and mix (pretend shakers are the spoon mixing in a large bowl)

Seven, eight, hold them up straight (hold shakers above your head)

Nine, ten, do it all again (shake eggs excitedly)

Movement Songs with Instruments

I can only keep the attention of a room full of preschoolers with musical instruments for so long, so this is the point in the program where I let recorded music do the majority of the work. I encourage the kids and grownups to dance and sing along, as well as follow the directed movements suggested in the lyrics. These songs are all fantastic for working with egg shakers because they acknowledge the instruments and show the kids several different ways to use them.

"Going to Kentucky" by Laurie Berkner

"Shake Your Sillies Out" by Raffi

"Milkshake" by Old Town School of Folk Music

"Shaky Shaky" by The Wiggles

Collect Egg Shakers

I don't try the "only those sitting down can put their instruments away" method for collecting... It does not work. By the end of the second song, they're either over using the instruments or so attached that they will sob if I try to take them away. For this reason, I simply encourage everyone to be good helpers and clean up all the instruments until they're all back in their bin. The prospect of helping me clean up is usually enough to get the clingers to relinquish their toys, especially when it's coupled with the promise that they'll get to play with them again next time.

Mellow Movement Song

The last thing I like to do before singing the goodbye song and having bubbles is one more movement song to help the littles re-compose themselves after the trauma of having to say goodbye to the toys. The best one I've found is Ella Jenkin's "Follow the Leader." 

Goodbye

"Until We Meet Again" from Out of the Box
Before singing this song, we learn a vocabulary word: clave. Clave is a type of rhythm used mostly in Afro-Cuban music, characterized by it's three-two beat. When I teach the word to preschool-age kids, I have them count to three, pause, and count to two, then do it again with clapping. The Out of the Box goodbye song uses a clave pattern, so after we learn what the word means, we practice clapping the clave pattern as we say goodbye to our friends.

Bubbles!
The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next time. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles
Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song

Learn & Grow with Rhythm & Flow 9-8-17

I am so excited to roll out this brand new program! The official description on our website is, "Children ages 3-5 will learn the basics of rhythm and beat, how to work with instruments, and what makes music happen in this upbeat program." Pretty catchy, right? I wrote it. Anyway...

My vision for this program is to help preschoolers grasp the basics of what it means to clap on the beat, how to keep basic rhythm, and understand what is happening in music as they listen. It sounds incredibly complicated for a three-year-old, but I'm pretty sure my dance teachers did this with us and I'm much more musically inclined as an adult because of it.

So we began this morning with what will become my usual Rhythm & Flow introduction. We only do one hello song and "Open, Shut Them" to warm up our fingers, because "Hello Hello" has built in stretches.

I want this storytime to include even more interaction between me and the group of kids than a regular storytime would, so I am getting to know the kids individually using a bumblebee finger puppet and this fun chant:

Heckity peckity bumblebee,
Won't you say your name for me?
Bzzzzz (Bee buzzes up to a child and asks their name. Let's say it's Harold.)
Everyone say Harold. (Group says name)
Can we whisper it? (whisper the name)
Can we do it on our legs? (Repeat name and pat thighs with each syllable)
Can we clap it? (Repeat name and clap with each syllable)
Now let's turn off our voice (Do a clicking motion with hand on throat and make clicking sound)
And let's just clap it (Group claps the syllables without speaking)
How many claps was that? (Group answers)
Harold's name is two claps! Who is next?

I like this one because they are starting to associate counting syllables with words they say every day, like their names. It's also a fun way to get to know your storytime regulars. Here are some videos of people doing Heckity Peckity. Including Jbrary, who are awesome.

Next, we did a movement song with music because we had a lot of wiggles to shake out. I picked "Can't Sit Still" by Greg and Steve today, because it is vaguely directed movement but still allows plenty of opportunity to get the sillies out and be ready to move on to another activity.

Where I would usually put a second movement song in a regular storytime, we did a clapping chant instead. I love this one that I got from Jbrary, "Little Clapping Mouse." 

Before the program, I wrote out the whole rhyme on a rolling white board so grownups and any reading children could follow along. I added two asterisks to the end of each line to indicate where the claps go, like this:

Behind the tree * *
And under the house * *
There lives a teeny * *
Tiny mouse * *
She loves to sing * *
She loves to tap * *
But most of all * *
She loves to clap * *
She claps all night * *
She claps all day * *
She claps to frighten * *
The cat away! * * * * * * * *

Having the words written out in a place storytimers can see them makes it easier for them to follow along right away, instead of me needing to teach the rhyme aloud. We did it two times through as a group. The kids got the hang of when to clap by the second time.

Another vision I had for this program was the use of a musical instrument every time. Today we used egg shakers, which are noisemakers similar to maracas, but great for teeny tinies because they fit perfectly in their hands.

As I passed them out, I gave the kids time to shake them on their own and start to explore everything they could do with them. Then we sang an a capella version of "Happy and You Know It" using the shakers. Each verse below is the full, usual verse of the song with the clapping, stomping, and hooray-ing substituted with the following words:

If you're happy and you know it, give a shake (*shake shake*)
If you're happy and you know it, give a clap (tap shakers together *clap clap*)
If you're happy and you know it, give a tap (tap shakers on legs *tap tap*)
If you're happy and you know it, do all three (*shake shake, clap clap, tap tap*)

Then we did two recorded songs with the egg shakers: "I Know a Chicken" and "Milkshake." "I Know a Chicken" is great because it mentions egg shakers specifically, and gives direction on how to use the shakers. Laurie Berkner strikes again!

After we gave all the shakers back, I launched right into our goodbye song. We used the same one that I do for Preschool Storytime and Toddler Time, for the simple reason that I love it. I also like to see the kids copying me when I demonstrate the sign language.

All in all, my first completely original storytime went really well. There were 75 people in the room which was a little overwhelming, but they all had a good time and so did I!

My Baby Lapsit Hello and Goodbye

I like to do the same introduction and conclusion to every Baby Lapsit, so both babies and parents/caregivers can get used to the songs and sing along with me.

Artist tip: I love Laurie Berkner for everything, but especially for the babies because most of her songs have clear movements that go along with the words. She has a lot of albums and most of her songs are winners for kids under five because she speaks clearly and has a voice that makes them want to listen!

Hello: "The More We Get Together"
I like to tell parents that it's never too early to learn to clap on the beat, because learning about rhythm helps stimulate the language center of the brain. They clap on the beat today, and they're better readers tomorrow! During this song we clap on the beat, point to our fellow storytime goers on "your friends," and point to ourselves on "my friends."

Warming up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.

Stretch: "Tall/Small"
For this song, I make sure to emphasize that grownups and babies should stretch at whatever level they are currently operating on. The grownup can keep the baby on their lap and help them stretch their arms up. The grownup can stand themselves and hold they baby while they stretch. The grownup can balance the baby while the baby stands on the floor, and help them stretch there. Wherever both are most physically comfortable is where I encourage them to try this gentle stretch.
Click here to listen to the version I use

This is where the rest of storytime comes in. And then...

Transition Song: "Peek-a-Boo"
For some reason, this song makes babies and younger toddlers drop whatever they're doing and pay attention. It's great. I sometimes use it with the preschoolers because you're never too old for a silly game, but I use it every single week with the babies. Their grownups love it too; I've heard back from a few moms that they sing it at home!
Click here to listen to the version I use

Goodbye: "Skidamarink"
I use this song for the babies' goodbye rather than one that actually says "goodbye" because it promotes positivity and love between baby and grownup. In storytimes with the older kids I'm giving them an opportunity to say goodbye to me and the program room, but the babies aren't operating on that emotional level yet. They're still working on forming bonds with their caregiver, and I think this song promotes that.
Click here to listen to the version I use

Also, I found this video from an adorable vintage kids show I've never heard of. They do the movements just like I do in storytime.

Bubbles!

The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next time. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles

Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song

Community Play Time

Baby Lapsit is unique in that the families are encouraged to stay for 15-20 minutes after storytime for a special playtime. I bring out a bin of toys and play some quiet background music, and it's just a fun, unstructured play session where babies can socialize with other little beings close to their age, and caregivers can also chat with each other and make connections. I've seen many friendships and even play groups or preschool co-ops get started this way!

My Music and Rhythm Time Hello and Goodbye

Hello: "Hello, Hello"
Since Learn & Grown with Rhythm & Flow and Shake, Boogie, and Bop are so high energy, I like to start these programs with a more mellow good morning song than other storytimes. I like this one because it has built-in movements and stretches.

Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"
On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.

This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...

Goodbye: "Until We Meet Again"
Before singing this song at the end of Learn & Grow, we learn a vocabulary word: clave. Clave is a type of rhythm used mostly in Afro-Cuban music, characterized by it's three-two beat. When I teach the word to preschool-age kids, I have them count to three, pause, and count to two, then do it again with clapping. The Out of the Box goodbye song is to a clave pattern, so after we learn what the word means, we practice clapping the clave pattern as we say goodbye to our friends.

In Shake, Boogie, and Bop, I stick to my usual American Sign Language signs as we sing the song.

Friend(s)

Meet

Goodbye

Bubbles!

The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next time. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles

Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song

My Preschool Storytime and Toddler Time Hello and Goodbye

I like to do the same introduction and conclusion to every Preschool Storytime, so both babies and parents/caregivers can get used to the songs and sing along with me.

Hello: "Hello Friend"

Before turning on the music, I teach the kids (and grownups) the American Sign Language sign for "friends." Then we boogie, wave, and sing hello to all our friends! 

Friend(s)

The song is pretty repetitive with four identical verses. I used to use all four verses, but before moving to the Mesa system I edited it down to only two. They still catch on to the signs and movements by the end, without getting bored. 

Click here to listen to the version I use

Warming Up Motor Skills: "Open, Shut Them"

On this song we do the movements described in the lyrics: open our hands, close our hands, clap three times, put our hands in our lap, creep our fingers up to our chin, and don't let them in our mouths.

Stretch: "Tall/Small"

This is a short, easy stretch the preschoolers get a kick out of. While we're stretching, I like to encourage them to reach for the ceiling, touch their toes, then make themselves into a tiny ball.

Click here to listen to the version I use

This is where the rest of the storytime comes in. And then...

Goodbye: "Until We Meet Again"

I was thrilled to finally find this song. Since I started doing storytimes, I wanted it to be my goodbye song. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find in a non-pirated, reliable format! The kids at the library are too young to remember this show, but I watched "Out of the Box" religiously as a kid and always loved the song they sang at the end. 

When we sing this song, I help them recall the sign for friends, and teach them a couple others as we sing. After a while, storytime regulars start to look like native signers!

Friend(s)

Meet

Goodbye

Bubbles!

The last thing I do at every storytime is blow bubbles. The kids go crazy over them! I play the same songs every time so they get to know that after we say goodbye, we have bubbles for the duration of two songs, and then storytime is over until next time. Our regulars know this is the way it always goes, which is a great introduction to establishing routines in other aspects of life as they grow.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Bubbles

Yo Gabba Gabba Bubbles Song