PreK Music
Fanga Alafia
Keep the Beat - and get a workout - with this song!
Fanga Alafia is a Nigerian song sung in the Yoruba language. The words Fanga Alafia directly mean "Hello, welcome". The word Fanga is specifically the word for welcome dance and the word Alafia is specifically a greeting like "good health" or "peace".
Risseldy, Rosseldy ~ a Song Tale
"Risseldy, Rosseldy" is an American nonsense song with a quick tempo and a tongue-twister of a repeating refrain. I own this book and normally read it in class and sing as I go but I thought the kids might like to hear the song with instrumental accompaniment. This audio recording and book, adapted by John Feierabend, can also be found through GAIA publishing online. Clicking on the link to the left to access the video. Enjoy!
Had a Little Rooster By the Barnyard Gate
This song gets longer each time you sing it as we meet more and more animals playmates! As you listen and learn, try singing the animal parts. The rooster's "Cock-a-doodle-doo" comes back every time and is my favorite part to sing. :)
What style is your style?
Move your bodies to these cool styles of music from all over the Earth. Move any way that feels good to you! Then try some Zumba moves to "Gangnam Style".
Can You Plant a Bean? May 3, 2020.webmIt's time to start thinking about what we'dl ike to see in our gardens this summer! I like to have lots of colorful flowers in my gardens but I usually have a few vegetables as well. In this song we sing about all of the things you have to do to plant and take care of a bean plant. So...
Can You Plant a Bean?
Sleepy Bunnies Apr 27, 2020 .webmSleepy Bunnies
This is the first video I've made using an app called Screencastify. I'm hoping I get better as I keep making videos but, for now, I hope you enjoy "Sleepy Bunnies". It is a PreK favorite!
Remember, you can just scroll down to see previous posts that are still big hits!
"Oh, My Aunt Came Back"
This is both an echo song and a cummulative movement song that we've done several times in class and I think the kids might be better than the adults!
Each verse adds a new movement: tap foot (shoe), wave hand near face (fan), scissor fingers (shears), hula hoop hips, forward and back (rocking chair), point and collapse at the end!
"Seven Jumps Dance"
(3 ½ minutes) The video here is just to provide music - you provide the action but, contrary to the name, there is no jumping required. :) For the main part of the song, walk in place for 8 counts, do half a turn followed by 3 claps, then turn the rest of the way and do 3 more claps. Each time the song is repeated another action is added on the new long violin note. Eventually you end up all the way down with your forehead on the floor!
First note - stand on one foot Second note - stand on other foot Third note - go down on one knee Fourth note - down on both knees Fifth note - put one elbow on the floor Sixth note - add other elbow down Seventh - touch your forehead to the floor
The song ends with one more rep of the dance part and a final bow. Have fun!
"The Stand Up, Sit Down Song"
The lyrics tell you what to do. We do it at school without the video but it’s pretty cute so try it both ways! Grown-ups, this is an excellent chance to get some squats in!
"Purple Light"
A lovely echo song for a cow-poke. The kids are great at the last line of each verse. :)
"The Beep Beep Song"
To the tune of “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II. Walk/drive on each line, freeze and beep your horn on each “Beep”!
In class we danced with scarves to the original music with no words and the children were great at anticipating where the "beeps" would go. The familar melody starts around 1:20 in the video to the right and gets faster and louder as you go. Super fun if you have somthing to wave (like a light scarf, bandana, or paper napkin) and you get to toss it up and catch it a few times near the end of the melody.
One From the Left..
A fun fingerplay in a creepy minor key which is kind of unusual for children's songs! Try singing along once you practice the movements. Can you teach this to someone else? Send me a video if you want to!