The 2 year old class is continuing to work on musical contrasts, following musical cues, singing, instrument play, and large movement this semester.
Two Little Blackbirds is a simple song or chant with many rhyming and contrast possibilities. In our class Jack and Jill were on a hill (our knees), soft and loud were up high on a cloud, and fast and slow hid below our legs. Here is a video of more verse options and an example of chanting and using your talking voice.
There are many versions of the melody for this song. Here is a link to the melody we sing it to in class.
We Are Marching in the Light of God and This Little Light of Mine are songs we will explore in several different ways this semester. They are lovely simple songs to sing together. The lyrics can easily be changed for a fun large movement activity. Simple change march to another activity or “this little light” to “these dancing feet” and enjoy experiencing large movement to the beat. Both of these songs have been recorded in different styles which make them engaging to play instruments along to as well.
Trot Old Joe is one of my favorite start and stop songs. Pretend you are on your horse. We make a horse stop by telling it “Woah!” We get to practice moving fast, slow, galloping, and any other way a horse might move.
Music can help us be excited, move, and play and it can also help us calm down. We end each class with a calm song. Singing calm songs at home can help both adults and children relax and calm down before bed, a nap, or anytime you may need a calm moment.
