Not-Too-Spooky Music Activities
Music, melody, and rhythm are powerful tools for teaching speech, communication, motor coordination, and school-readiness. Songs inherently structure information in easy-to-predict phrases which gives children of all ages the opportunity to learn and practice new skills. Since children are naturally drawn to music, it feels like play! Here are some favorite fall-themed songs you can do at home with your child.
Five Little Pumpkins
Singing, movement, and fingerplay activities have the unique ability to target multiple developmental milestones in one
activity, and this song is a perfect example of that. When singing Five Little Pumpkins, keep track of each pumpkin with your fingers to practice isolating each finger, count each finger to practice one-to-one correspondence, then demonstrate all the emotions on your face to practice labeling feelings.
To the tune of "One Little Two Little Three Little Fingers"
One little pumpkin smiling, smiling (repeat 3x)
One little pumpkin is happy
Two little pumpkins pouting, pouting (repeat 3x)
Two little pumpkins are grumpy
Three little pumpkins yawning, yawning (repeat 3x)
Three little pumpkins are sleepy
Four little pumpkins crying, crying (repeat 3x)
Four little pumpkins are sad
Five little pumpkins laughing, laughing (repeat 3x)
Five little pumpkins are playing
Autumn Leaves Are Falling Down
A simple twist on London Bridge is Falling Down, this song gives children the opportunity to practice following directions, imitating motor movements, and incorporates imaginative play. Listen to the song and copy all the movements. What other actions can you imagine with leaves?
To the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down"
Autumn leaves are changing colors, changing colors, changing colors
Autumn leaves are changing colors all over town (repeat 2x)
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down
Autumn leaves are falling down, down to the ground (repeat 2x)
Take a rake and rake them up, rake them up, rake them up
Take a rake and rake them up, on the ground (repeat 2x)
Make a pile and jump in, and jump in, and jump in
Make a pile and jump in on the ground (repeat 2x)
Autumn leaves are on the ground, on the ground, on the ground
Autumn leaves are on on the ground, are on the ground (repeat 2x)
I'm A Little Acorn
Use this song to introduce the concept of opposites. Watch the video and copy all the movements. Ask your child to do the same! Sing the song on your own, then practice it fast and slow, quiet and loud. After singing fast, ask your child, "What's the opposite of fast?" Slow! Then, practice it slow. After singing the song quietly, ask your child, "What's the opposite of slow?" Loud!
To the tune of "I'm A Little Teapot"
I'm a little acorn watch me grow
First I'm a sapling way down low
Then my trunk grows up so very slow,
and all my branches grow, grow, grow
What's Music Therapy?
To learn more about music therapy and Life On Music check out our services page. For questions or more information, email LifeOnMusicTherapy@gmail.com. If you're in the Seattle and you or someone you know could benefit from music therapy services, get in touch!
