How many frogs can you see?

Sing Your Favorite Song

Anything you can do inside, you can do outside better! Well, maybe not anything – but a lot of things. Why not go outside to sing your favorite songs?

I like to introduce songs to children within the context of outdoor learning. This is especially helpful for the children who are non-native speakers of English. For example, on our first rainy day playing outside, we sang “Rain, Rain Go Away”. 

This year only five of our twenty-one students speak English as one of their home languages. We certainly have a majority of children in our class who are learning English as a second (or third or fourth!) language. Songs, taught “on location” and in context are a great way to make learning new words fun – for both native and non-native speakers.

Four little speckled frogs

One warm afternoon, we spotted four little froglets sunning themselves at the water’s edge of our pond. 

Upon close inspection, we saw a fifth froglet sitting on a lilypad! The next day was a great time to teach the song “Five Little Speckled Frogs”.

Can you find the fifth frog?

Props placed at our meeting place as a provocation.

If you don’t have a pond or froglets, don’t worry – a little imagination and a few props go a long way!   

When I introduce any song with props, I speak the words slowly and clearly, telling it like a story while acting it out. Sometimes a few children recognize the song and want to start singing right away.

Props for singing & imaginary play.

After we sing the song, I explain that the children are welcome to play with the toys, but the toys must stay on the black mat. This is how I ensure the props aren’t lost. We sing  “Five Little Speckled Frogs” day after day so all the children can learn the song. 

Often times this activity helps the English-speaking children form friendships with the their peers who are learning English. The English-speaker will sing and the non-native speaker will use the props to act out the song until they feel comfortable enough to sing along, too. It’s heart-warming to watch children learn from each other in this way.

Why not go outside today to sing your favorite songs?

Playing and singing together.