Many children love to use some kind of prop when singing or dancing to music. Props help to tell the story of a song, aids in the flow of movement to the song's tempo, makes a child feel less self-conscious when singing with a group and just plain fun.
Below are a few traditional songs and props to make singing fun:
Bingo
There was a farmer had a dog,
and Bingo was his name-o.
B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O B-I-N-G-O
and Bingo was his name-o.
Make a Paper Cup Dog as a prop: Poke a hole large enough for the child's index finger in the side of a foam paper cup. This will represent the dog's tongue when the child places his finger through the hole. At the top of the cup, draw in facial features (nose and eyes on each side). Glue on two floppy ears made from construction paper or felt. As the child sings this song, the dogs tongue (finger) will be moving and singing along.
Eentsy Weentsy Spider
The eentsy weensty spider,
climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain
and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun
and dried up all the rain.
So, the eentsy weensty spider
climbed up the spout again.
Stuffed Spiders make fun props: Cut two circles from black construction paper, the size of a lunch plate. Place the two circles together and staple or glue the edges together, leaving a small opening to stuff. Use Polyester filling or facial tissues for the stuffing. Finish sealing the circle. Accordian pleat strips of black paper and attach eight legs around the body of the spider. Cut out two white circles or glue on cotton balls for the eyes. Children can hold their spiders while they sing.
Aiken Drum
There was a man lived in the moon, in the moon, in the moon.
There was a man lived in the moon, and his name was Aiken Drum.
His head was made of ________, of ________, of ___________.
His head was made of _________ and his name was Aiken Drum.
Activity: Aiken Drum is a silly song about a man who is made out of food. His body, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, and legs can be made of a variety of foods. This is an open-ended song where a child's response can be charted. Provide art materials for individual drawings of this song to be shared with other children. The music score is among many music books and also recorded by Raffi in Singable Songs for the Very Young.
Pop Goes the Weasel
All around the cobbler's bench,
the monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought it was all in fun,
POP! goes the weasel.
Make a Monkey Puppet for a fun prop: Use a lunch bag as the body of the puppet. Draw a monkey face on construction paper, as well as a mouth piece. Glue the head piece on the bottom flap of the bag and the mouth piece under the flap. Add a felt hat. After it's dry, the child can place his hand inside the bag to manipulate the puppet pretending to chase the weasel while singing this song.
Mr. Sun
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun.
please shine down on me.
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun,
hiding behind a tree.
These little children are asking you,
to please come out so we can play with you.
Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden Sun,
please shine down on me.
As a group project: Make a large tree, sun and moon props from poster board. Have the children color or paint these props. To act out the song, choose children to be the sun, tree, and moon. Act out the song while singing.
This song has been sung by Raffi in Singable Songs for the Very Young. Nancy Cassidy has also recorded this song in Kids Songs with a second moon verse.
Make music time fun with creative props to add to the excitement and enjoyment of these traditional songs. Instrumental music and extra lyrics can be found on this computer website for the child's singing pleasure.
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