A Comprehensive Guide to Songs, Rhymes, and Movement Activities for Each Month of the School Year

Music, rhymes, and movement are essential components of early childhood education, providing numerous benefits for children's development. These activities enhance cognitive skills, language development, gross and fine motor skills, and social and emotional growth. This comprehensive guide offers a rich collection of songs, rhymes, and movement activities tailored specifically for each month of the school year, ensuring an engaging and enriching learning experience for all young learners.

September

Songs:

Holidays and Special Days: A Source Book of Songs, Rhymes and Movement for Each Month of the School Year

by Kamel Sadi

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24285 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	260 pages

FREE

* "Welcome to Our Classroom" (tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star") * "Hello, My Friends" (tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb") * "We're All in This Together" (tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Rhymes:

* "Itsy Bitsy Spider" * "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear" * "Rain, Rain, Go Away"

Movement Activities:

* "Simon Says": Promote listening skills and body control. * "Musical Instrument Scavenger Hunt": Encourage exploration and sound recognition. * "Hokey Pokey": Foster body awareness and coordination.

October

Songs:

* "Five Little Pumpkins" (tune: "Five Little Monkeys") * "Spooky, Spooky Halloween" (tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It") * "The Itsy Bitsy Witch" (tune: "The Itsy Bitsy Spider")

Rhymes:

* "Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Round and Plump" * "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet" * "Five Little Ghosts"

Movement Activities:

* "Pumpkin Walk": Improve balance and locomotor skills. * "Ghostly Freeze Dance": Develop coordination and response inhibition. * "Halloween Obstacle Course": Enhance gross motor skills and spatial awareness.

November

Songs:

* "Thanksgiving Day" (tune: "Jingle Bells") * "Over the River and Through the Wood" (traditional folk song) * "We Gather Together" (traditional Thanksgiving hymn)

Rhymes:

* "The Turkey's Coming, Gobble, Gobble, Gobble" * "I'm Thankful for My Family" * "The Pilgrims and the Indians"

Movement Activities:

* "Turkey Trot": Encourage locomotor skills and cardiovascular endurance. * "Thanksgiving Charades": Promote social interaction and vocabulary building. * "Leaf Pile Jumping": Enhance gross motor skills and sensory awareness.

December

Songs:

* "Jingle Bells" (traditional Christmas carol) * "Frosty the Snowman" (traditional Christmas song) * "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (traditional Christmas song)

Rhymes:

* "Dashing Through the Snow" * "Santa's Workshop" * "Up on the Housetop"

Movement Activities:

* "Snowball Toss": Develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. * "Gingerbread Man Dance Party": Encourage rhythmic movement and body control. * "Winter Wonderland Obstacle Course": Enhance gross motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

January

Songs:

* "New Year's Day" (traditional folk song) * "Winter Time is Here" (tune: "Old MacDonald Had a Farm") * "Snowflakes Are Falling" (tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star")

Rhymes:

* "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" * "Itsy Bitsy Snowman" * "January, February, March"

Movement Activities:

* "Winter Sports Scavenger Hunt": Encourage exploration and spatial awareness. * "Ice Skating Freeze Dance": Improve coordination and balance. * "Snowball Fight": Enhance cooperative play and gross motor skills.

February

Songs:

* "We Are All Heart" (tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It") * "Be My Valentine" (traditional Valentine's Day song) * "Love Bug" (tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Rhymes:

* "Roses are Red" * "Cupid's Bow" * "Hearts and Kisses"

Movement Activities:

* "Heart-Shaped Charades": Encourage social interaction and vocabulary building. * "Valentine's Day Dance Party": Promote rhythmic movement and body control. * "Love Bug Obstacle Course": Enhance cardiovascular endurance and problem-solving abilities.

March

Songs:

* "Lucky, Lucky Leprechaun" (tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb") * "Wearin' of the Green" (traditional Irish song) * "Green, Green Grass" (tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Rhymes:

* "Leprechauns Are Small" * "Over the River and Through the Wood" * "Five Little Leprechauns"

Movement Activities:

* "St. Patrick's Day Obstacle Course": Encourage locomotor skills and spatial awareness. * "Rainbow Parachute Play": Enhance cooperative play and gross motor skills. * "Leprechaun Treasure Hunt": Promote exploration and problem-solving abilities.

April

Songs:

* "Spring Is Here" (tune: "Jingle Bells") * "Baby Chicks" (tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb") * "Hop, Little Bunny" (traditional Easter song)

Rhymes:

* "April Showers Bring May Flowers" * "The Easter Bunny" * "Five Little Chicks"

Movement Activities:

* "Flower Garden Obstacle Course": Enhance locomotor skills and spatial awareness. * "Easter Egg Hunt": Encourage exploration and problem-solving abilities. * "Spring Fling Dance Party": Promote rhythmic movement and body control.

May

Songs:

* "Thank You, Mom and Dad" (tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star") * "Mommy and Daddy, I Love You" (tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It") * "We Love Our Teachers" (tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Rhymes:

* "I Love My Family" * "My Mom and Dad" * "Teacher, Teacher"

Movement Activities:

* "Mother's Day Flower Pot Scavenger Hunt": Encourage exploration and problem-solving abilities. * "Father's Day Obstacle Course": Enhance locomotor skills and spatial awareness. * "Teacher Appreciation Dance Party": Promote rhythmic movement and body control.

June

Songs:

* "Summertime" (traditional folk song) * "Goodbye, School" (tune: "If You're Happy and You Know It") * "We're All Going on a Summer Vacation" (traditional vacation song)

Rhymes:

* "Summer, Summer" * "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" * "It's Time to Say Goodbye"

Movement Activities:

* "Summertime Obstacle Course": Encourage locomotor skills and spatial awareness. * "Summer Scavenger Hunt": Promote exploration and problem-solving abilities. * "End of the Year Dance Party": Celebrate the year's accomplishments and encourage rhythmic movement.

Incorporating songs, rhymes, and movement into the school year provides young learners with an engaging and enriching learning experience. This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of activities tailored to each month of the year, ensuring that children develop their cognitive, language, motor, and social skills while having fun and building lasting memories. By embracing the power of music and movement in the classroom, educators can foster a love of learning and create a positive and stimulating environment for all students.

Holidays and Special Days: A Source Book of Songs, Rhymes and Movement for Each Month of the School Year

by Kamel Sadi

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24285 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	260 pages

FREE