rainbow round me

Once upon a time preschool and nursery school teachers used songs to teach the children. We sometimes played old vinyl records but mostly we sang. In the classrooms we had a few puzzles, art supplies, a few books and some toys. We sang ABC's, nursery rhymes and a few pop songs like "Monster Mash". We made our own fun with what we had.

Children do the same today. Whether they have fancy wooden toys galore, or just a stick and a ball, they play. Young children are wired to play because it's the vehicle by which they learn. Take a moment to digest that.

After 50 years of teaching experience backed-up by degrees in education and human development, I still use singing as one of my primary methods of teaching. I do this because it works. It works to set the mood and to teach the children. By the way, I don't have a traditionally good voice. When singing with young children, enthusiasm is much more important than technique.

When do we sing? While washing our hands, when it's time to come inside, when we're waiting to use something, when we're waiting for a bus, when we need to settle the baby down, when we feel ecstatic, when we feel sad, when we need a dance party, or when we have a social problem to work out.

The best thing about singing is that it's portable. No equipment needed. Not even a tablet! Children appreciate it when we interact with them during a song and make eye contact. They also appreciate songs that include movements. Since it's really important to sing the same songs over and over again, you'll know all the words without looking down at anything.

That's one of the reasons I love a good rebus. A rebus is a song or story that mixes

written words with illustrations. A good rebus is considered a puzzle for adults and older children but for the first few years we try to make it as simple as possible.

Singing with a rebus promotes left to right progression, visual identification, and familiarity with the written word. When I put one of these out at eye level, I always see one or two children singing and pointing to the words on their own. I do a little pointing myself while singing but try to keep it light and fun.

I put together a couple of verses of Rainbow Round Me in a rebus for you to use. Feel free to copy it and enjoy! I also included the you tube of the song by Ruth Pellham sung by Bev Boss so you'll have the tune.

If you want a science experience, use a prism to make real rainbows indoors. I have one that sticks to the window and uses solar power to send rainbows soaring around the room at certain times of the day.

When this happens, we always sing the song and dance around.

It's also easy to make rainbows almost anywhere and anytime with a simple glass prism, no bells or whistles needed!

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Singing is only one of the secrets the best and most experienced child care providers use.

Would you like to know more about getting kids to listen without yelling or time outs?

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Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  (click on the word) She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She has presented at statewide and nationwide conferences. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.