Nancy Stewart

This song is a perfect example of the power of simplicity and a great song for toddlers. The repetition aids in language development, and it's tailor-made for adding your own verses. Why does this matter? Check out this article with new research on the value of 'shared music' And don't forget to take a cue from your little one about how fast to sing. 'Children's' music is often berated for its simplicity and slowness of tempo. But think about the young child just learning to speak. Or think of yourself trying to learn a foreign language. You need the speaking, or in this case singing, to be slowed down so you can process and reproduce the sounds. Here's a blog post I wrote on this topic. Parents and grandparents: This is a fun song to sing while you're riding in the car or taking a walk. Ask your child what he or she likes to do, or with babies, 'narrate' or sing about what you are doing. This is a fun and natural way to build language and literacy without even trying! Teachers and Librarians: If you have a small group you can have each child say what he likes to do and have everyone sing about it. Because the song is so short, it allows time for everyone. If you have a larger group, just take a few suggestions, or show pictures of activities and sing about them. Teachers can have the 'helper of the day' choose a favorite activity to sing about. Like I always say, a song is a jumping-off place; you take it and make it your own!