LA 1.02Songs, Poems, and Rhymes
Short songs, finger plays, poems, and nursery rhymes learned by heart at group time.
Age 2½–6Work 2 of 6 in Oral Language
Presentation
- 1
Gather a small group and wait for quiet attention.
- 2
Say or sing the whole poem once slowly while the children only listen.
- 3
Say it again with clear hand motions for key words.
- 4
Invite the children to join the hand motions only.
- 5
Say one line at a time and have the children repeat it.
- 6
Say the whole poem together.
- 7
Repeat the same poem on following days until the children can say it without you leading.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Children fill in the last word of each line when the adult pauses
- A child leads the group in a known song
- Children clap the beat while saying the poem
- Children make up a new verse by changing one rhyming word
Control of error
The adult and the group; children hear the correct words from others as they sing together.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Says or sings at least five songs or poems from memory
- Fills in the rhyming word when the adult pauses
- Joins group singing without being prompted
Guide note
Include songs from the home languages of children in the class. Keep a written list of songs taught so they can be repeated across the year.