Our Executive School Directors worked together to provide our TGS families with various projects that bring the amazing curriculum at our schools to your home. From learning about science and developing math skills to just having fun playing at home, there are lots of opportunities for learning and interaction with your young children. We hope you enjoy engaging with your children in these creative developmental activities. This post shares our favorite activities for music and story time with your children.
Infants, Toddlers, and Twos
Baby Bumblebee Song
Sing along!
Use the lyrics to sing the “Baby Bumblebee Song” and use hand motions.
I Know a Chicken
This interactive song is perfect for music Monday! It involves shaking eggs to make a wonderful sound. Younger infants will observe, and older babies, toddlers, and two-year-olds can participate.
You’ll need:
- Plastic eggs
- YouTube (Or if you know the song, you can sing it yourself!)
- Dry corn or rice, or something similar to place in the plastic eggs to help them make a sound
Access “I Know a Chicken” by Laurie Berkner on YouTube. Some children may already have this song memorized. Sing along with Laurie in front of your baby, toddler, or two-year-old. Depending on the baby’s age and fine motor skills, the adult may have to shake the egg for the baby, but older babies will most likely be able to participate. Toddlers and two-year-olds should each have an egg or two to participate in the song. Instruct your child to listen to the lyrics of the song. The song will ask children to shake the eggs fast, slow, in a circle, and more.
Threes, Fours, and Pre-K
Letter Scavenger Hunt and ASL Letters
Children will learn letter recognition paired with the letters in ASL.
You’ll need:
- Just the ASL alphabet to practice
Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt for the letters of the alphabet. Look around at trees and signs to see if you can see any letters in them. Then, once you find a letter, use the chart to practice signing the corresponding letter in sign language.
Sound Glasses—Mad Science Music
Children will practice measuring skills and explore different colors.
You’ll need:
- 6-8 glasses (same size, must be glass to work)
- Water
- Food coloring
- Pencil or metal spoon
Have the children help pour different amounts of water in the glasses. Add different colors of food coloring to each glass. Tap lightly on the side of the glasses with the pencil or metal spoon. Ask your child about the different sounds each glass makes.
From Head to Toe By Eric Carle with Animal Yoga
Practicing gross motor movement/ stretching/ balance through yoga poses while reading the story.
You’ll need:
- The book: From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
- You can also find the story online here.
Read the story From Head to Toe, while incorporating the yoga pose for each of the animals along the way!
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
This activity will help your child practice listening skills, develop rhythm, and spark communication and imagination while incorporating an American Sign Language sign.
You’ll need:
- The book: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
- You can also look for the animated story video online
Read the story, then act out your own version at home incorporating singing, actions, and the ASL sign for “bear.”
Any Age
Bubble Wrap Dancing
Children will explore the sound bubble wrap makes while dancing to music through this sensory activity.
You’ll need:
- Bubble wrap
- Music
Put on some music, place the bubble wrap on the floor, and then let the children dance wildly on the bubble wrap while the music plays! You can also play freeze dance! They can freeze like a frozen bubble when the music stops and wait until the music starts again to dance.
Fun Musical Experiences
We hope you enjoy these fun music activities that make spending time together with your preschooler even more special. The Gardner School provides your child with a daily schedule that sparks their learning and supports their intellectual, social, and physical growth. Schedule a tour to see our beautiful learning spaces in action.