CONNECT - song and dance for children

*STONES HILL SONGS* is a growing resource of original songs for young children, self-published by experienced music teacher/ occupational therapist/ songwriter LIZ CAMPBELL. The goal is to stimulate real-time body-and-voice musical experience in classrooms. Demo-style presentation is simple and easy for teachers to look-listen-copy. They are not suitable as fancy backing tracks! SUBSCRIBE, "LIKE" and SHARE with other interested teachers. Let the SONG and DANCE continue!

Friday, March 15, 2019

Lift your voice and sing!

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

This song is an accumulative type of round, layering together 4-bar bit-sized pieces to make up the whole. It is most suitable for young junior voices, hence all the parts are written for soprano voice.

Start by singing each part through with repeats until comfortably familiar, and only then start to split and layer them, canon style, first in 2 parts, then later try with 3.

Further suggestions to try: create a simple movement pattern to accompany each verse. As the children stand in their 3 groups, they can perform this movement sequence with the song. This is a very Orff-Schulwerk based idea; adding a simple movement to the singing takes it to another level altogether, introducing further benefits for development and learning.

Rounds (also called canons) are the most accessible way to practice and enjoy singing in harmony. They are typically short so can be learnt quickly, by heart and ear, and have an engaging playful element as the singers fit their parts together, snugly, like a good jigsaw puzzle.

Canons epitomizes the non-competitive aspect of music, the point being that everybody arrives together at the same point, voices blended. We all lose if someone comes in first! There is nothing like a well-constructed round for honing acute and accurate listening skills.

The piano accompaniment is written very simply, but can easily be vamped up or embellished as desired (same as old times figured bass). The chord structure helps to hold the voices together, both rhythmically and harmonically. Note that the voice leads in on the upbeat, hence the blank first bar.

Figure Of 8

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

🎶 This very simple, repetitive song has a flow to it (the 6/8 meter)

to match the figure-of-8 drawing in the air. It's a way to get children doing this particular move, inscribing a racetrack like an eight ON ITS SIDE with the crossing point of the 8 just in front of the body. It can be done with each hand separately (or as the song suggests, fingers, forearm - this adds the element of isolating body parts), or with both together if possible. You can also try it with your nose for fun, or a foot - why not? The figure-of-8 can be drawn small or large - most important is to try and keep the crossing-point in the midline of the body.

This is considered to be a deeply integrating movement as it involves crossing the midline of the body, engaging sense of laterality, co-ordination between left/right, and spatial awareness. The integration happens as the 2 hemispheres of the brain work together on both sides of the body. It is a move that is part of the Brain Gym program used by many educators and is also used therapeutically to treat with people with neural conditions.

Some children may struggle to process this initially, but with time and practice it comes. It is common to find that adults with head injuries or strokes will find this move tricky. When it's going, try tracking the hand moves with the eyes, but watch out for dizziness: if this is a problem, keep the eyes focused more or less on the middle crossing point.

This particular song also encourages the quality of flowing mobility in movement, a perpetual motion that finds its own natural rhythm. The song provides a framework for this, and children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they master the co-ordination of this activity. Once on the (race)track, their bodies will learn how to move with ease, grace and flow through this move. Having a song makes it easier to do with a whole class of children at once, either sitting or standing.

It may not be rocket science, but these seemingly simple activities are where essential connections are made in growing bodies. The only way to build these healthy connections is through movement (and touch - but that is another subject). Our bodies are first and foremost designed to MOVE.

As with all the Stones Hill songs, this can be sung unaccompanied - your own voice is always good enough. The funny instrument introducing the recording is a nose flute - I find it a handy snazzy tool for crowd control: its ear-catching high pitch snaps attention when needed.

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Creepy Crawly

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

This song uses a simple soh-me tune, the ubiquitous childlike chant used the world over for the good reason that it is the starting block of all singing (and talking). We instinctively sing chants to our very young using this note pattern, as singing connects dots in the neural pathways of the brain that process language. So as we sing-song to our babies, they are picking up language. How amazingly we are made!

There is a wise Zimbabwean proverb that says: IF YOU CAN TALK YOU CAN SING (and further, if you can walk you can dance). Most interesting are studies showing how adults with head/ brain injuries and resultant speech problems are sometimes able to sing but not talk. And singing is frequently used to treat speech difficulties. So we sing with our young for fun, the most natural and accessible way to develop language and vocabulary.

At the same time, this song is using skills of fine motor coordination (try doing those creepy crawly fingers for some time!), spatial awareness, body image, motor planning - a host of desirable elements that are learnt best through participation and action. Add the rhythmic timing element and see what a rich pot is on the brew all at once!

We do each line twice with the adult leading and the children echo-singing afterwards (not done on this demo video). This also allows more time to experience and play with each action. Imitation games are a great way to learn at this age. If you play with your voice (squeaky/ scary/ extra slow/ extra soft/ low/ high) the children will copy you faithfully. Try it.

Creepy crawler creepy crawler on the floor....through the door
up my leg...... on my head
heading down...... on the ground......round and round
in the air..... in my hair
gone inside..... off to hide

Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com

https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Round the garden

from STONES HILL SONGS

This one takes a well-known old rhyme and takes it a bit further. This teddybear is going to do a bit of exploring around the garden and find places to play... use this song with its easy repetitive formula to fire up the imagination. It could be incorporated into a story to set the scene.

This song stimulates language and vocabulary development while practising skills of fine motor co-ordination and motor-planning. All good reasons to include songs such as this in young growing lives!

Round and round the garden just like a teddybear
I'm one step, two steps, more steps up to see what might be there
I've found a patch of hairy bush - I think I'll stay and play
I'm heading down, I'm heading home, I've finished for the day

.... I've found a pair of shapely shells (ears)....
.... I've found two marbles rolling round (eyes)...
......I've found a soft and pointy tip (nose)...
.....I've found a warm and cosy cave (mouth)...
.....I've found a pair of squashy beds (cheeks)...
.....I've found two rows of stepping stones (teeth)...
......Another soft and pointy tip (chin)....

Stay and play with each part a bit longer - move it, feel it, make sounds with it, see what each bit can do while you're there.

Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com

https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html

Friday, March 1, 2019

I went shopping

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

I WENT SHOPPING WITH MY MOTHER,
I LOVE SHOPPING WITH MY MUM.
LOOK IN THE BAG AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE BOUGHT:
WE HAVE BANANAS IN THE BAG.

🎶This song from the Stones Hill collection is a passing-game-cum-memory-game to fire up cognitive connections and imagination. It uses repetitive add-ons and visual cues to aid the memory. It is so simple in fact that there is no need to write the music score nor any more words as you will add them yourselves, making up as you go along.

Sit the children in a circle, pass a shopping bag round and when it gets to the "look in the bag" bit, rumble a dramatic drum roll on the knees while the lucky one gets to decide what to put in the bag. This little bit, of course, they sing solo, sometimes hardly realizing it.

Tip #1: Once a child has had a turn they have to learn to pass the bag quickly to those who still need one. In a large group, it's helpful if the remaining children sit with their hands up so that the bag can be passed timeously to them. They will ALL WANT A TURN!

Tip #2: When remembering a long shopping list, it helps to point at the person who named the food, in order if possible. Memory is aided by face+item.

Tip #3: You could precede the song with a discussion about foodstuffs, and decide that you can only buy vegetables, or fruit, or no junk food. Or you could say, we are shopping for a party with all the sweets and cakes. Your call!

Tip #4: Have a reusable shopping bag, rather than a plastic one, and discuss the whole throwaway issue, pertinent to our consumer driven culture. Raise awareness.

Tip #5: Modulate up (as it does in the recorded song) to stretch and challenge the voice. Sing it in different styles - operatic, jazz, sotto voce soft, or use a tired exasperated mom-voice.

HAVE FUN!

Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs listed below - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com

https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

My Little Body

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

🎶 This song from the Stones Hill collection for children is essentially about body image. We do our youngsters the world of good by helping them to appreciate, affirm, respect and enjoy their bodies. (This naturally leads to the same attitude towards others). We can sing with them: "I love my body - it's a very fine body (for me!)". Good learning and living flows place from a secure vantage.

This song is more than just identifying and naming body parts; it's a song that gives space for connection with the finer sensations that all bodies offer when we stop and look. As children learn to notice what's going on inside themselves, so they develop a healthy body image.

As with all the songs, it can be sung unaccompanied at your own tempo. It's a good idea to have a repeated move to return to gently for the chorus - perhaps a wrap-around hug with a little sway. The verses jump about the body, and a suggestion is to just hold or dance whichever part is being named at the time. This happy and easy-to-sing-along song helps children become comfortable and at home in their own skins. What a gift, to be able to say - this is me, and I am more than OK in myself!

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Come On Everybody

STONES HILL SONGS

*Come on everybody *

🎶 This is an easy to sing, expandable song to use first up in a group to get things going. The words can be endlessly and creatively changed to adapt to the moment - "Come on everybody, let's walk together, let's fly together, let's swim together, let's shake together...." whatever takes your fancy. It's quite fun to juxtapose 2 similar moves and notice the difference - how is flying different from the swimming motion? Or experiment with 2 completely opposite moves such as stamping and tip-toeing. A good way to end the song is to "sit together" and "pat together". This will naturally quieten them down for the next activity, sitting and patting themselves gently (pat all over legs, arms, torso - very simple tactile stimulation).

Songs that activate whole body moves in children are like gold; it is a most nourishing activity that you can do with them, feeding into a host of positive developmental spin-offs while having a load of fun and letting off steam. You will also be able to pick out the children who may have sensory or motor processing problems, as a first step towards any remedial intervention.

This song, like many of the others, does not need a backing track accompaniment. Use a small hand drum or tambourine, or whatever rhythmic shaker you can find. It's not about performance as much as participation in the moment. You lead the way, the children will follow!

View the other songs listed in the archives - forward to teachers and parents to spread the

song-and-dance! Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com