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When I Hear The Music
Copyright 2006 Nancy Stewart

This month’s song is a
simple exercise in keeping a steady beat. After singing with children for
twenty-seven years, I am convinced the ability to keep a steady beat is
crucial to language development, and in turn, early literacy. I have also
noticed an alarming inability for children of all ages (and some adults!),
to do this. When I sing with the youngest babies and children, I keep a
steady beat on my thigh as we sing, and find children quickly feel the beat
as they join me. As you sing this song with children, children will be able
to concentrate on and practice keeping a steady beat with their whole
bodies.
With 2-4 year-olds:
Practice each movement before you play the song. Do only one movement each
verse.
With 5-year-olds and up:
Add each new movement, so by the last verse you are doing all movements.
Drop off movements as lyrics indicate so you are only clapping hands by the
end.
This may take some practice, and lots of concentration!
When I Hear the
Music
My hands like to clap, my hands like to clap
When I hear the music, my hands like to clap
My toes like to tap, my toes like to tap
When I hear the music, my toes like to tap
My head likes to nod, my head likes to nod
When I hear the music, my head likes to nod
My shoulders like to move, my shoulders like to move
When I hear the music, my shoulders like to move
My body likes to sway, my body likes to sway
When I hear the music, my body likes to sway
My shoulders like to move,
My head likes to nod,
My toes like to tap,
My hands like to clap
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