If you have rhythm sticks you might want to grab them for this episode.

In today’s episode we demonstrate a bunch of fun ways to put a twist on any simple song that you sing with your child.  We hope this will give you some fresh new ideas on how to spice up the songs you’re asked to sing on repeat and make more of your musical play at home.  

We take 4 simple, familiar songs and share fun ways to change them up.  

Grab our free printable list of our favorite children's songs to help get you started at: www.clapforclassics.com/episode20

Watch a free video of me teaching these activities here: www.clapforclassics.com/blog/familiarfavorites

For information on our Clap for Classics! All Access Membership where you can get access to a library of music activities like the ones on this podcast go to www.clapforclassics.com/join.  Be sure to use the coupon code "LION" for 50% off your first month.

Here are some ways to add variation to your favorite songs:

1. Change the way you experience the beat. Most kids’ songs have a very steady beat, and young children can never get enough practice feeling and keeping that steady beat. Clap the beat, step or march or dance to the beat, tap different parts of your body, play a simple rhythm instrument, or try a hand-clapping partner activity.

2.Change the actions. Many children’s songs have actions built into them. Elizabeth took the “Grand Old Duke of York” and changed the word “march” to “spin” and then to “hop”, for a fun and active twist. We’ve done “Tiptoe/Stomp/Run around the rosie, pocket full of posie…”. You could even get your itsy bitsy spider to run, dance, or fly up that water spout. Again, let your kids choose the action!

3.Change up the style of the song. This activity builds in music vocabulary and the opportunity for your kiddo to make choices about how you sing. 

These types of changes are SO easy, and kids find them to be so silly and fun. I love using this idea when we’re in the car and need some entertainment. Another bonus about getting your kids familiar with this vocabulary set, is that these musical terms can be fun to incorporate into daily life (IE: instead of “quiet down now!” you can say “use your piano voices!”)

  4. Change the words. Find any opportunity you can to personalize a song just for your child. Can you include their name in a song? Can you include their favorite animal or favorite food? (“This little piggy ate chocolate chips” is a popular adaptation at my house)

We hope this episode and these activities give you lots of ideas on how to bring more musical play into your home with your little ones! 

Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the classical music that we used in today’s episode.

Hope you have some fun with these ideas!