When I started out in teaching young children English, one piece of advice that I often came across on the internet was to use nursery rhymes in the classroom. I agree in part – some nursery rhymes are far too complicated – and some work great! Which ones? Read on…
1. Are You Sleeping?
This is a simple song with a lovely melody. It also starts with a very useful phrase: “Are you…?” You can expand this to practice feelings: Are you happy, sad, hot, cold, etc…
For more fun, you can change the words “brother John” to that of a puppet – “Are you sleeping, crocodile?” We put the puppet in the centre of the room and ask him to wake up at the end of the song! Grrrrrr…
2. The Wheels On The Bus
Preteach the vocabulary for this song to increase language learning. You can use your fingers to teach family members, and you can use your body to teach the concept of open and shut. I wrote all about this in my post on bodies!
There are a lot of versions of this song, with wipers, horns, etc. I like to keep it simple and stick to the wheels, doors, Mummy, Daddy and Baby!
3. Hickory Dickory Dock
This is a lovely tune that has some simple vocabulary and practices counting. Again, preteach the important vocabulary to help learners understand the song.
I couldn’t find a slow enough version that really practiced the counting, so I made my own! Please give it a try with your class. Don’t forget to use lots of gestures.
4. Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Isn’t it interesting how many different sounds animals make in different languages. A dog in English says woof woof, but here in Japan where I teach, it says wan wan. Oh well… in this song the kids learn the English sounds!
5. Rain Rain Go Away
Great for teaching weather and family members. As you sing each family member, wiggle the correct finger on your hand. When you get to the end, do it once more and wiggle all of your fingers, singing “My family wants to play…”
It can get a bit repetitive, so my top tip is when you get to baby, sing it very quietly. And finally, sing it loud for the whole family!