by Rachel | Uncategorized
An issue that comes up frequently when working with children is the use of appropriate language. I wrote this song for a student who had a habit of saying “pee-yew, you stink!” whether the person did or not (and most of the time, luckily, it was the latter). Now we sing this song together, and afterwards, I quiz her on which phrases are appropriate and which are not. After months and months of singing this song together, she has ceased holding her nose and uttering this phrase, and “Friendly Words” is her favorite song. Go figure!
Let’s sing a little song about the words we say
To make people smile every single day.
Friendly words are what we use
So think about the words you choose.
Hi and Hello and How Are You?
Are friendly greeting words through and through
Another friendly thing that you can say
Is “You look very pretty today.”
But if you say “pee-yew, you stink”,
That’s just not so nice, don’t you think.
Gross and yuck and disgusting
Are not friendly words for you and me.
So use nice words and then you’ll see,
It’s so cool to be friendly.
So use nice words and then you’ll see,
It’s so cool to be friendly.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
It’s been a beautiful week here in central Illinois, and actually, with the exception of a few days here and there, the weather has been consistently sunny and warm all month. You know how excited I am about the advent of fall, but I am definitely enjoying these last few summer-like days.
There’s nothing better than a beautiful, sunny Friday, so to celebrate, I’ll share one of my most popular songs: “Sunny Day.” My students absolutely love singing along, especially the part that goes “la la la la la.” I wrote it early last year, and I have to say it is one of my personal favorites. So I hope you like it, too!
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!
The air is warm, and the sky is blue.
A beautiful day for me and you.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!
Singing this song always puts me in a good mood. What songs do the same for you and your child or students?
by Rachel | Uncategorized
To round out tonight’s three-part self care series, here’s a song that teaches the correct way to brush teeth. This can be a difficult task, so anything to make it a little more fun can help. The tune is recognizable and catchy; you’ll most likely find yourself humming it tomorrow :) Check it out:
I’m brushin’ all my teeth to keep them clean,
Nice and white, not yellow or green.
I brush them in the morning, noon, and night,
This is how I do it right.
First I get my toothbrush nice and wet,
Squeeze the toothpaste and then I’m all set.
Now I’ll put my toothbrush in my mouth,
Brush east and west, and north and south.
Brushin’ up and down and side to side,
Keep my mouth open nice and wide.
Don’t forget my tongue, I’ll clean it now,
Brushin’ is easy when I now how.
Last I’ll rinse my toothbrush and put it up,
Take a sip of water from a cup.
Rinse my mouth, and now I’m done,
Brushin’ my teeth is so much fun!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Another essential self-care skill: hand washing. The lyrics are repetitive, making it easy to learn and fun to sing. All while the child learns how to correctly wash his or her hands! That is my goal: to make learning enjoyable, so that it doesn’t feel like learning. Here’s the song:
This is the way we wash our hands,
When our hands are dirty we wash our hands,
After we use the bathroom we wash our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands.
First turn on the faucet with our hands,
Then put the soap in our hands,
Rub the soap all over, in our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands.
Wash the tops of our hands,
Wash the palms of our hands,
Wash between the fingers on our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands.
Next rinse off the soap from our hands,
Then turn off the faucet with our hands,
Use a paper towel to dry our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands.
This is the way we wash our hands,
When our hands are dirty we wash our hands,
After we use the bathroom we wash our hands,
This is the way we wash our hands.
by Rachel | Uncategorized
This week I’m featuring a three-part series on self-care songs. I receive requests from teachers all the time for songs about using the bathroom, keeping clean, and other related topics, so I thought I’d share them with you. So here goes Part One:
Potty-training. It’s not a fun job, but it has to be done. This simple song is set to a familiar tune and uses repetitive lyrics to deliver step-by-step instructions for using the potty. Take a listen:
I have to go to the bathroom,
I have to go to the bathroom,
I have to go to the bathroom,
So that is where I’ll go!
I’ll shut the door to the bathroom,
Pull down my pants in the bathroom,
Sit down on the toilet and that is when
I’ll let it all come out!
I’ll let it all come out, I’ll let it all come out.
I’ll let it come out in the toilet,
And keep my pants all dry!
I’ll take some toilet paper,
I’ll take some toilet paper,
I’ll take some toilet paper,
And wipe from front to back!
Put the paper in the toilet,
Put the paper in the toilet,
Put the paper in the toilet,
And flush it all away!
Then I’ll pull up my pants, and wash my hands all clean.
I’ll wash my hands when I’m finished,
And now I can leave!
