 |
| Teachers "Singing in the Rain" at a conference! |
Yup – it’s
raining today in Chicago! Miss Carole of
Macaroni Soup here, and though the weather is still blustery, we can still get moving
indoors! My adaptation of the classic “Singing
in the Rain” is the perfect combination of movement plus play!
The National Association for Family Child
Care recommends that children be moving for one hour of every five hours in care. The Australian Department of Health breaks it
down even further: 1-5 year-olds should
be physically active every day for at least three hours, spread throughout the
day. Our US Health Department Guidelines recommend 60
minutes of “vigorous intensity aerobic, bone and muscle-strengthening
activities” per day.
 |
| Preschoolers "Singing in the Rain" in a school concert |
Does all that movement have to be hard work?
Should it be a chore to be checked off – whew, that’s done? No! It
doesn’t have to be done all at once – actually it should be broken up in to
segments for our youngest children. Let’s start with 20 minutes of music and
movement – it’s fun, it’s enjoyable, and so many other skills can be included
in the workout! Vocabulary, memory,
cross-lateral movement, early literacy skills, dexterity, balance, appropriate social
and emotional interaction – need I go on?
 |
| Thumbs up! |
Let’s get moving! This month I’ve chosen one of my favorites –
a re-working of the title song of the movie “Singing in the Rain!” The original song, written in 1929 by Arthur
Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, forms the base for this movement piece. I couple it with some choo-choo cha-cha’s,
and it becomes a hysterical add-on song.
It’s similar to “Tooty Ta” – but different! It’s also been around longer! I recorded it on my “Dancing Feet” cd – hear it
HERE, or purchase the cd or download it HERE.
LYRICS:
I’m singing in
the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glo-ri-ous feeling,
I’m happy again!
 |
| Choo-choo, cha-cha! |
Kids
echo: Thumbs up!
ALL:
Choo-choo, cha-cha, choo-choo, cha-cha, choo-choo, cha-cha!
Add-ons: Shoulders back
Knees together
Bottom up
Tongue out
Eyes closed
 |
| Knees together! |
MOVEMENTS:
For the verse, stretch arms overhead and sway them side to side. As sung, put both thumbs up in front of your
chest. Then turn around in place to the
beat as you “choo-choo, cha-cha”. Sing
the verse again with arms up. This time
after “thumbs up” add “shoulders back!”
Be sure you keep that position as you choo-choo around in place.
NOTE: Knees together is probably the hardest
movement. Demonstrate it with your feet
slightly apart, knees knocked together!
 |
| More choo-choo, cha-cha! |
So much fun for Springtime...
and all year long!
 |
| Tongue out, eyes closed! |
Need a Keynote Speaker to get your
conference joyously on its feet?
Want a professional development workshop for your
association?
Contact me!
 |
| Tongue out at a library show! |
Yours for a Song!
“Miss Carole” Stephens
 |
| "Singing in the Rain" from behind! |
No comments:
Post a Comment
We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below....