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When Ducks Get Up in the
Morning
Traditional
This song, along with
many others suitable for this age group,
is also available on the "Plant
a Little Seed" CD
This is perhaps my favorite song to use
with infants through preschoolers! I always include it song in my early
childhood music workshops, and often hear back from teachers who have found
new ways to use it. I have recorded it just the way I sing it; accompanied
only by the sound of hands slapping my thighs.
Over the twenty some years I have been singing with young children, I have
often tried to analyze why this little gem is always such a hit. This is
what I think:
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It has a strong beat which even babies will bounce to as you sing. Don’t
underestimate the value of this! Language begins with rhythm, and that
translates to early literacy skills!
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Unlike Old Macdonald’s Farm, the animal sounds happen often, making it a
more interactive a song to use with young children.
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Because of the simplicity of this song, it’s great to use with special needs
or non-English-speaking children.
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There are so many ways to use it (see the ideas below).
You'll find suggestions and variations under the
lyrics.
So as we begin a new year, I hope you’ll add this time-honored favorite
to your collection, and just have fun with it!
When Ducks Get Up in the Morning
(my version begins with "dogs")
When Ducks get up in the morning,
They always say good day
When ducks get up in the morning,
They always say good day
Quack, quack, quack, quack,
That is what they say, they say
Quack, quack, quack, quack,
That is what they say.
Repeat with other animals.
Use a book with animal pictures; one
animal to a page. Hold up the book and slap your thigh in rhythm as you
sing. Keep a steady beat, and gauge how fast to sing by the ability of the
children to join in.
 My favorite book is I Love Animals, by Flora McDonnell This large
and wonderful book has bright, beautiful pictures, and is available in
hardcover, paperback, and big book format; easy to find on e-bay or Amazon.
VARIATIONS
1.Cut out animals shapes and hand out to
the children. Have them place the animals on a flannel board as you sing.
2.Simple performance for parents: Make each
child a crown with an animal shape on the front. As you sing each animal,
have the children with those animals stand.
3.Put plastic animals in a small bag or
box, and sing about each as you pull it out.
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July
2005 Song of the Month