By Emma Thomas – Full-time mum to a 18-month-old, part-time blogger and writer, with a background as a Kindy Teacher/Director
Nursery rhymes and children songs are a great way of interacting with and connecting with young children. They are usually short and easy to learn, with simple tunes and words. When you talk to other children and families you will hear different versions of your favourite songs, with extra verses, different actions and sometimes even different characters! It is great fun to share a new verse of a song with your children and you might find that it becomes a favourite. In my travels as a Kindy teacher I have worked in Australia and the UK, taught Kindy, worked in Long Day Care centres and run playgroups. I have collected a collection of my favourite songs and would love to share a few with you.
Twinkle, Twinkle
I already knew 3 verses to Twinkle, Twinkle but discovered another 2 when I was researching for this post! This is the original from the Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes (2nd edition, 1997).
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!
Humpty Dumpty
My mum used to sing Humpty Dumpty when we were little and would do all the verses!
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again!
Poor old Humpty, poor old Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on the ground
Humpty Dumpty looked all around
Gone were the chimneys
Gone were the roofs
All he could see was buckles and hooves!
Poor old Humpty, poor old Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty counted to 10
Humpty Dumpty got up again
All the King’s horses and all the King’s men
Are happy that Humpy’s together again!
Once I Caught a Fish Alive
When I was working in the UK I heard someone singing an extra verse to Once I Caught a Fish Alive. I made them sing it multiple times throughout the day until I had learnt it.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Once I caught a fish alive
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Then I let it go again
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so!
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6
Fishy, fishy no more tricks!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Biting fingers is no fun.
Happy Birthday
There are even extra verses for Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear (name)
Happy Birthday to you.
From good friends and true,
From old friends and new,
May good luck go with you,
And happiness too.
How old are you now?
How old are you now?
How old, How old
How old are you now?
Nursery rhymes are a great opportunity for learning and connection with young children. Why don’t you try a new one this week?