Song of the Month
Every month the song/dance/activity will change. Many of the songs will be from my Recordings. Please print the page and do the activity with your child. Teachers may print the page to use with their classes. If you have questions, Contact Me.
July 2009
The Mulberry Bush
Listen to the whole song on Dancing Feet, or hear it here:
Dancing in a circle is great fun for children of all ages! This wonderful old chestnut can be updated to put in concepts that your child(ren) is learning – washing hands, clapping, jumping – zip in whatever you need to. For my "Dancing Feet" recording, I used typical morning activities. Feel free to sing your own version. I deliberately put two verses between each chorus, as getting very young children all hooked up and holding hands can take a moment, and I feel the song flows better this way. This is especially helpful if you are working with a group of children who are less familiar with circle-style dancing.
| Lyrics: | chorus: verse: Additional verses: |
| Movements: | During the chorus, hold hands and walk in a circle. Pantomime the actions for each verse: rub hands together, then shake them dry for the first verse. Use your pointer finger as a toothbrush for the second verse, etc. This is a gentle song, so keep the movements slow and easy. When working with Toddlers, remember that it may take a moment to get all the hands connected. Even if you have my cd, I suggest starting out singing the song without it so that you can slow each part down. Once the children have mastered the circle dance, you may add the music and they will still sing! |
Age Range: 2 – 6 years
Purpose: Circle dancing takes some practice – to get everyone going in the same direction, walking sideways (in a sense) and stopping and starting. This is great practice in "Group Dynamic"! "The Mulberry Bush" also promotes pattern and sequence, great early literacy skills. Circle dancing also facilitates positive social interaction – not squeezing the hand you hold, but carefully folding your hand around it, walking without pulling the arm of the person behind you, and keeping a nice, round circle that doesn't collapse inward! Encourage eye contact as you circle around. Once children have mastered these skills, they may be ready to dance with a partner, the next step in my Dance Sequence:
1. Dancing as an individual in a group
2. Circle dancing
3. Partner dancing
4.
Dancing with props and manipulatives
All 4 styles of dancing are available on my award-winning cd, "Dancing Feet".
MORE CIRCLE DANCES: Here are some excellent choices for circle dances from my cd's:
"Jimmy Crack Corn" on Sticky Bubble Gum
"B-I-N-G-O!" on H.U.M. - Highly Usable Music
"Sally Go 'Round the Sunshine" on Dancing Feet
