Welcome to
Toys I Make,
Trips I Take!
Here are activities to enjoy at home
with your little one — and lyrics to all
the Toys I Make, Trips I Take songs. We’re
delighted you’ve chosen to share in the
delicious fun and learning that happens in
a Kindermusik class!
Let’s sing hello to all the things we don’t
like so much! This song can make trying
times easier. Sing hello to the bathtub and describe
all the fun things your child can do while bathing.
Sing hello to dinnertime vegetables — especially
the ones he doesn’t like so much. Sing hello to the
toys as you clean up the playroom. Singing makes
dull activities more enjoyable — plus, it’s just plain
funny to sing hello to the bathtub!
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to be with you.
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to be with you.
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to be with you.
It’s good to be together here with you.
Vs. 2
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to wave with you, etc.
Refrain:
Toy shop, toy shop,
Let’s make believe now.
Toy shop, toy shop,
Let’s make believe.
Refrain
Let’s all chug like a choo-choo train.
Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!
Refrain
Walking Song
Words & Music by Jane K. Thurmer
Claire Clark/Susan James Frye
Let’s all jump like a jack-in-the-box.
Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!
Toys I Make, Trips I Take
CD 1
Hello, How Do You Do?
Toy Shop
Let’s all fly like a kite.
Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly!
Traditional/adapted
Refrain
One, two, three, four, walk along.
Walk with me and sing this song.
Toy shop, toy shop!
Let’s go to the toy shop!
What toys can your child imitate? Can
she chug like a train? Bounce like a ball?
Hug like a teddy bear? Ask her to describe how
she’s moving. Activities like these stimulate the
imagination and build vocabulary.
One, two, three, four, walk along.
Walk with me and sing this song.
Open the door and walk right in.
One, two, three, four, walk along.
Walk with me and sing this song.
Look all around. What do you see?
One, two, three, four, walk along.
Walk with me and sing this song.
Vs. 3
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to clap with you, etc.
Adding the phrase “and stop” to this song
can turn it into a game. Having trouble
getting your child out of the toy aisle? “1,2,3,4,
walk along, walk with me and sing this song...and
stop!” Then run, skip, jump, twirl, and bounce
all around the store.
Vs. 3
Hello, how do you do?
It’s good to jump with you, etc.
continued
1
The Jack-in-the-Box Jumps Up
Traditional Folk Song
The jack-in-the-box jumps up!
The jack-in-the-box goes flop!
The jack-in-the-box goes ‘round and ‘round!
The lid comes down with a plop!
Toembai
(Instrumental)
Toembai has a heavy, steady beat that
is easy to play along with. Encourage
your child to pick a noisemaker and play along.
Playing along with a steady beat will improve
daily rhythmic activities, such as bouncing a
ball, pedaling a bicycle, or cutting with scissors.
Repeat twice
The jack-in-the-box goes ‘round and ‘round!
The lid comes down with a plop!
Do you have a jack-in-the-box? If not,
find a picture of one to show your child.
Can she draw her own cartoon or comic strip of
the jack-in-the-box jumping up?
Al Tambor (To the Drum)
Claire Clark
I play loud sounds on my drum.
Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!
Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom!
I play quiet sounds on my drum.
Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!
Tap tap tap! Tap tap tap!
Al tambor, al tambor,
Al tambor de la alegría.
Yo quiero que tú me lleves
Al tambor de la alegría.
La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la,
La la la la la la la.
Your child will enjoy making a rainbow
flag to twirl while dancing to this song.
Her flag can be as simple as a few strips of colored construction paper or some bright ribbons
taped to a pencil. Let her choose the colors and
the order to put them in — she may have her
own idea of how to form a rainbow!
Sound of the Doundoun Drum
(Listening Activity)
Watch this (or another) YouTube
video of African doundoun drumming and dancing: http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=bCieRoyJfBU, and discuss the
drums, dances, and dancers with your child.
Try the doundoun dance!
Repeat both verses
Do you recognize any of the Spanish words in this song? Alegria
means “joy,” and tambor means “drum.”
Songs from other countries and cultures
are a great way to introduce your child to
other languages.
Loud sounds, boom! Quiet sounds, tap!
Loud sounds, boom! Quiet sounds, tap!
Children can easily understand opposites. This song emphasizes loud and
quiet on the drum. Encourage your child to make
loud and quiet sounds with other things, like his
voice, his hands, his feet. Instead of boom and
tap, which are drum sounds, he can name the
new sounds he makes: shout, whisper, clap,
rub, stomp, tiptoe, etc.
(Instrumental, featuring
the pow wow drum)
Lagnon/Paredes/adapted by Yates and Clark
Repeat
My Drum
Rainbow Dance
Sound of the Pow Wow Drum
(Listening Activity)
What does this song remind you of?
Download Canoe Song at
play.kindermusik.com
It’s a perfect Native American song for the pow
wow drum.
Not Quite Koukou
(Instrumental/Excerpt, featuring
the doundoun drum)
Help your child make his own personalized drum at home. Stretch some masking tape across the open end of a sturdy plastic or
styrofoam cup or empty oatmeal box. This will be
your drum head. Then use markers, beads, string,
and feathers to decorate your instrument. The
tighter you’re able to stretch the masking tape, the
crisper the sound will be.
2
Sound of the Snare Drum
(Listening Activity)
Snare drums are often heard in marching
bands and parades. They’re also used for
the famous “drumroll” sound. Download Yankee
Doodle from the album “Here, There,Everywhere:
Volume 2” on play.kindermusik.com to hear the
snare drum in action!
I Am a Top
Keep the Ball a-Rolling
(En roulant ma boule)
French-Canadian River Song
En roulant ma boule roulant.
En roulant ma boule.
En roulant ma boule roulant.
En roulant ma boule.
Derriére chez nous y’a t’un étang,
En roulant ma boule.
Derriére chez nous y’a t’un étang,
En roulant ma boule.
Trois beaux canards s’en vont baignant,
Rouli roulant ma boule roulant.
En roulant ma boule roulant,
En roulant ma boule.
En roulant ma boule roulant,
En roulant ma boule.
Ta Ra Ra Boom De Ay
(featuring the snare drum)
Henry Sayers
Ta ra ra boom de ay,
Ta ra ra boom de ay,
Ta ra ra boom de ay,
Ta ra ra boom de ay!
Repeat five times
Ta ra ra boom de ay,
Ta ra ra boom de ay!
Give each family member an instrument
to play on a particular syllable or phrase
of this song. For example, play the egg shakers on “ta ra ra,” the drum on “boom,” and the
spoons on “de ay!” After everyone gets the hang
of it, switch parts. This encourages concentration
and focused listening.
Traditional
I am a top all wound up tight.
I spin and spin with all my might.
And when the spins are out of me,
I lie down as quiet as can be.
Tops are old-fashioned toys that kids today
don’t often see. If you don’t have a top to
show your child, get out a coin or other similar object and teach her how to spin it. Playing with small
objects in this way enhances fine motor skills.
Way, away, a-rolling along.
Keep the ball a-rolling.
Way, away, a-rolling along.
Keep the ball a-rolling.
Behind the house there is a pond,
Keep the ball a-rolling.
Behind the house there is a pond,
Keep the ball a-rolling.
Behind the ducks swim all around,
Away, away, keep rolling away.
Way, away, a-rolling along.
Keep the ball a-rolling.
Way, away, a-rolling along.
Keep the ball a-rolling.
This song is even more fun with a balloon! Keep the balloon a-bouncing along
— and don’t let it touch the ground! Make this a
family game. Time yourselves to see how long
you can keep the balloon from touching the floor.
Play, Play, Play
Claire Clark
What did Jack like to do all day?
He liked to play, play, play!
What did the toys like to do all day?
They liked to play, play, play!
It’s always interesting to get a child’s
point of view. Ask your child what he
thinks Dad likes to do all day. How about Mom?
Ask him what he thinks are favorite activities
of other friends and family members (even the
pets), and then sing about them. Don’t worry
if your song doesn’t rhyme — it will be fun and
funny, and that’s all that matters!
3
If you jumped out of your big blue boat
for a swim in the ocean, what would
you see? Read Way Down Deep in the Deep
Blue Sea by Jan Peck to find out. You’ll love the
surprise ending!
Build Me a Boat
Appalachian Folk Song
(“Sweet William”)/adapted
Father, father, build me a boat,
That on the ocean I may float.
Light is the color of my true love’s hair,
His cheeks resemble a lady’ fair.
Father, father, build me a boat,
That on the ocean I may float.
Circle Dance
Linda Swears
Refrain:
La la la la la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la la la la.
La la la, la la la, la la la.
Step in, turn yourself around.
Step out, turn yourself around.
Refrain
Jump in, turn yourself around.
Jump out, turn yourself around.
Refrain
Scoot in, turn yourself around.
Scoot out, turn yourself around.
Refrain
For an extra silly dance, tie some old
scarves together in a circle. You could
also tie two opposite corners of a big sheet
together. Stand inside the circle and hold on while
you dance, like a merry-go-round. Come together,
push outward, and try making different shapes.
Get twisted up in the circle and try to untangle
without letting go! This gives children a sense of
teamwork and promotes cooperative play.
Children, children, build me a boat,
That on the ocean we may float.
La la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la.
Children, children, build me a boat,
That on the ocean we may float.
See if you can build a boat that actually
floats. Use items from around the house
and let your child pick out things to decorate it
with. You might want to start with something that
already floats, like a water bottle or a sponge.
After that, it’s all imagination!
BOOK: If I Had a Big Blue Boat
Susan James Frye
“You can read your Kindermusik book while
listening to the recording. Just turn the page
each time you hear this sound: [musical riff].
The title of the book is printed on the front
cover, ‘If I Had a Big Blue Boat.’ Ready?
Open the book!”
[musical riff]
If I had a big blue boat,
I would sail away in the morning.
Tip-tip, rock, whishhh!
Tip-tip, rock, whishhh! whishhh!
[musical riff]
Bright fishes would follow me,
Leaping out of the water to greet me.
My Big Blue Boat
Traditional
I love to sail in my big blue boat,
My big blue boat, my big blue boat.
I love to sail in my big blue boat,
Out on the deep blue sea.
Flippish-leap! Flippish, flippish.
Flippish-leap! Flippish, flippish.
[musical riff]
I would sail around little islands
with palm trees.
Vs. 2
I love to read in my big blue boat, etc.
Swish-swish, rustle-rustle, rustle.
Swish-swish, rustle-rustle, rustle,
Vs. 3
I love to sit on my big blue boat, etc.
They would say.
I would have sandwiches
and milk for lunch as I sailed.
Vs. 4
We love to play on our big blue boat, etc.
continued
continued
4
[musical riff]
In the afternoon I would
wave to the big white ships …
And they would answer –
BOOoooohhhmmm.
BOOOOOoooohhhmmmm.
[musical riff]
At sunset I would lie on my
yellow blanket and look for stars.
Soon the stars would twinkle.
And sometimes one star
would run across the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, zooooooooommm!
Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle, twinkle,
zooooooooommm!
[musical riff]
The water would make
noises under my big blue boat
And I would listen for a long time.
Slosh, slosh, slosh. Thump-ump.
Slosh, slosh. Thump-ump, thump-ump.
Slosh, slosh …. slosh.
Slosh, slosh, slosh. Thump-ump.
Slosh, slosh. Thump-ump, thump-ump.
I would be too sleepy for supper,
And I would sail home in time for bed.
If I had a big blue boat.
If your child had a big blue boat, what
would she do? She might start by painting it pink! On each page of this book, encourage
your child to add her own words and sounds.
Merrily We Roll Along
For more sailor fun, go to
play.kindermusik.com and download
Long-Legged Sailor from the album “Too-da-la.”
Then have fun dancing like long-, short-, bow-,
and cross-legged sailors!
Traditional/adapted
Merrily we roll along,
Roll along, roll along,
Merrily we roll along,
O’er the deep blue sea.
Boatman’s Dance
Dan Emmett/adapted
Hummmm …. Tap, tap, tap.
Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap.
Hummmm …. Tap, tap, tap
….. Boom, boom, boom.
Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom.
….. Boom, boom, boom.
Refrain:
Hi ho! The boatmen row!
Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.
Hi ho! The boatmen row!
Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.
Merrily we roll along,
Roll along, roll along,
Merrily we roll along,
O’er the deep blue sea.
The boatmen dance, the boatmen sing,
The boatmen up to everything.
And when the boatman gets on shore,
He spends his cash and works for more.
How many different ways can your child
roll? Can he roll his hands and fingers
‘round and ‘round? His head? How about his
whole body? A new way to roll might be a somersault! Teach your child how to do this simple
forward roll. He’ll be so proud, and every time
he does it, he’ll improve his balance!
A Sailor Went to Sea
Traditional Tune: “Pretty Little Dutch Girl”
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
To see what he could see, see, see.
But all that he could see, see, see,
Was the bottom of the deep blue
sea, sea, sea.
Repeat
continued
Then dance, the boatmen, dance!
Oh, dance, the boatmen, dance!
Oh, dance all night till broad daylight,
And go home with your pals in the morning.
Refrain
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
Then jump, the boatmen, jump!
Oh, jump, the boatmen, jump!
Oh, jump all night till broad daylight,
And go home with your pals in the morning.
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
La la la la la la la la.
continued
5
Then clap, the boatmen, clap!
Oh, clap, the boatmen, clap!
Oh, clap all night till broad daylight,
And go home with your pals in the morning.
What do you see?
I see a dolphin.
Refrain
What do you see?
I see the stars.
Find the book Ten Little Fish by Audrey
Wood at your library or bookstore. Then
find a cozy spot, push the button on this track,
and let the music wash over you like ocean
waves as you count the fish!
Sea Sounds
Refrain
Use this song to pass the time while
waiting in line, just like a game of I Spy.
We’re looking and looking while waiting in line...
what do you see? I see something orange! Or
expand the song to imagine you’re traveling to
a make-believe land, describing what you see in
great detail. Can your child guess what you’re
describing? Don’t forget to give her a turn!
Star Dancing: Dance of the
Sugar Plum Fairy (Instrumental)
Tchaikovsky, from “The Nutcracker”
The Nutcracker is a beautiful ballet with
well-known music. Your child will be
enchanted by the magical story behind the ballet.
Check out The Nutcracker by Stephanie Spinner
at your local library for a cozy afternoon read.
(Listening Activity)
This track offers a variety of sounds that
occur together. Here’s a great focused
listening exercise: coordinate some common
sounds at home, like a timer ringing, a radio playing, a blender or mixer running, etc. Have your
child close her eyes while you start the sounds in
a different order each time. See if she can name
the sounds in the correct order.
Out Here on the Sea
Susan James Frye/Claire Clark
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Traditional
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.
(humming)
We’re looking and looking.
We’re looking and looking.
“Now it’s your turn to sing
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’”
Refrain:
Out here on the sea,
Out here on the sea,
We’re looking and looking
Out here on the sea.
(instrumental accompaniment)
Look up the American Sign Language
signs for twinkle, star, wonder, world,
high, and other key words in this song. Your child
already knows how to sing this song, so teach
her to sign it! Using her voice and her hands
together is a great exercise for her brain. She’ll
be proud of her new knowledge, too!
What do you see?
I see a seagull.
Refrain
continued
The Stars
Traditional
The stars are shining in the sky,
In the sky, in the sky.
The stars are shining in the sky,
Until the sun comes up.
The stars are shining in the sky — what
else is going on up there? Talking about
nature is a terrific way to improve your child’s vocabulary. Birds are flying, sun is shining, wind is
blowing — what could be more natural? You can
use nature to help your child understand spatial
words, too. The birds are flying above the trees,
wind is blowing around my face, grass is growing
under my feet. What else can you think of?
6
Mommy, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Mommy, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Oh, Watch the Stars
South Carolina Folk Song
Oh, watch the stars, see how they run.
Oh, watch the stars, see how they run.
The stars run down at the setting of the sun.
Oh, watch the stars, see how they run.
Repeat
Daddy, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Daddy, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
What a catchy island beat! Water
Come a Me Eye is another fun song
with a similar feel, available for download at
play.kindermusik.com
Ocean Sounds and a
Distant Train (Listening Activity)
Toys I Make, Trips I Take
— CD 2
Preschoolers don’t miss a thing!
They hear the garbage truck and the icecream cart long before you do. Play with far and
near sounds by putting your child in a centrallylocated room in your home. Then go around to
different rooms where he can’t see you and play
a simple instrument, such as a recorder, drum, or
bells. Can he guess what room you’re in? Don’t
forget to give your child a turn playing, while you
stay put and guess!
(woman humming)
Show your child pictures of a few wellknown constellations, such as the Big
Dipper and Orion. Then have him draw his own
constellation! Perhaps his star-picture will outline
the shape of his own house, shining high in the
sky. Or maybe it’s a picture of his favorite teddy
or the family cat. It can be whatever he imagines!
Jubilee
Kentucky Singing Game
Chinese Dance (Instrumental)
Tchaikovsky, from “The Nutcracker”
This piece from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite features Chinese dancers.
With your child, practice “Chinese” dancing as
performed in the ballet by jumping up and down,
holding your hands vertically like fans, and dancing while keeping your legs as close together
as possible. This will be a great coordination
exercise for you both!
Michael, Row the Boat Ashore
African-American Folk Song
Michael, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Michael, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Susan, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
Susan, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah.
continued
All out on the old railroad,
All out on the sea;
All out on the old railroad
As far as I could see.
Swing and turn, Jubilee,
Live and learn, Jubilee.
Sing and turn, Jubilee.
Live and learn, Jubilee.
Repeat all, repeating second verse twice
Swing your partner, to and fro! Let go of
your inhibitions and make up a silly partner dance with your child. The “swing your partner” move (linking elbows or holding hands as you
circle) might be new for her, so teach, practice,
and enjoy watching her improve her coordination.
Sarasponda
Dutch Folk Song
Sarasponda, sarasponda,
Sarasponda, ret, set, set.
Sarasponda, sarasponda,
Sarasponda, ret, set, set.
Adorayoh!
Adoray boomday-oh!
Adoray boomday, ret, set, set.
Asay, pahsay, oh!
Sarasponda, sarasponda,
Sarasponda, [clap, clap, clap], etc.
Sarasponda, sarasponda,
Sarasponda, [tap, tap, tap], etc..
Adorayoh!
Adoray boomday-oh!
Adoray boomday, [tap, tap, tap].
Asay, pahsay, ___!
continued
7
This song is full of nonsense words—and
preschoolers love silly words. This track
assigns specific motions (clapping and tapping) to
the nonsense words “ret set set”—can your child
come up with more? How about hopping, jumping, clicking her tongue, or blinking her eyes?
Hear the Train
Susan James Frye
Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo!
Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo!
Hear the train a-comin’.
Hear the train a-comin’.
Choo-Choo Train
Traditional
This is a choo-choo train
Puffing down the track.
(Arms bent at elbows, move them
forward and back in in a circular, rhythmic
motion, like train wheels)
Now it’s going forward,
(Arms still moving, lean forward)
Now it’s going back.
(Arms still moving, lean back)
Now the bell is ringing.
(Pull on imaginary bell chord)
Now the whistle blows.
(Cup hands to mouth)
What a lot of noise it makes
(Cover ears with hands)
Ev’rywhere it goes.
(Stretch arms wide, palms up)
Find props to bring this poem to life.
Does your child have a toy train she can
move as it puffs forwards and backwards down
the track? (A car or truck or stuffed bunny works,
too!) How about a real bell to ring or a whistle to
blow? Does Teddy Bear need his ears covered
when you make a lot of noise at the end? Let
your child’s imagination be your guide — and
have fun!
Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo!
Whoo-oo! Whoo-oo!
Train is comin’ down the track.
Train is comin’ down the track.
Chugga chugga chugga chugga,
Chugga chugga chugga chugga,
Chugga chugga chugga chugga,
Chhhh…
This song is sung in echo fashion. Sing
along with the track and then discuss
with your child what an echo is — this might be a
new word for him. Practice echoing with him, and
think of other songs you can sing in echo fashion.
Down by the Station
American Folk Song
Down by the station early in the morning,
See the little puffer-bellies all in a row.
Hear the station master shouting,
“All aboard now!”
Standing on the Platform
North Carolina Folk Song /adapted
Standing on the platform,
Waiting for the train,
Get your old blue bonnet
And let’s go ‘Liza Jane.
Standing on the platform,
Waiting for the train,
Get your toys
And let’s go ‘Liza Jane.
Standing on the platform,
Waiting for the train,
Get your snack
And let’s go ‘Liza Jane.
Standing on the platform,
Waiting for the train,
Get your pajamas
And let’s go ‘Liza Jane.
Chug, chug! Toot, toot! Off we go!
Doo doo be doo doo ….
Pick up Down by the Station by Jess
Stockham at your local library. It’s a great
book that goes along with this song and reinforces counting, colors, and vocabulary.
In class, we sing this song while pretending to pack our suitcases for a trip.
Pretend play is age-appropriate and fun for
preschoolers...it allows their imaginations to
blossom. What will your child put in his suitcase?
Where will he go on his trip? How will he get
there? Asking questions like this is a good way
to encourage pretend play.
8
On Our Way
(Listening and Movement Activity)
The fun in this song comes from listening
carefully and anticipating which movements will happen when. After listening to and
moving with this track a few times, your child
will know what comes next. That’s when it’s time
for you to be the leader! Change up the movements...add a few of your own...and watch your
child perk up her ears in anticipation!
Riding the Rails (Instrumental)
Playing instruments along with fast and
slow music is fun. Can you hear the train
whistle in the distance during this song? What
instruments do you hear? Is there a musical
warning that the music is about to slow down or
speed up? Ask your child questions like this to
encourage focused listening.
Train Is a-Comin’
Choo-Choo-Choo
African-American Folk Song
Washington DC/adapted
Train is a comin’, oh, yes.
Train is a comin’, oh, yes.
Train is a comin’, train is a comin’,
Train is a comin’, oh, yes.
Goin’ on a train ride. Choo-choo-choo.
Goin’ on a train ride. Choo-choo-choo.
Goin’ on a train ride. Choo-choo-choo.
Oh, ride, children, ride.
Where are you goin’? Choo-choo-choo.
Where are you goin’? Choo-choo-choo.
Where are you goin’? Choo-choo-choo.
Oh, ride, children, ride.
Goin’ to the zoo. Choo-choo-choo.
Goin’ to the playground. Choo-choo-choo.
Goin’ to the museum. Choo-choo-choo.
Oh, ride, children, ride.
“Where would you like to go?
Just think of a place and sing about it!”
[insert your idea] Choo-choo-choo.
[insert your idea] Choo-choo-choo.
[insert your idea] Choo-choo-choo.
Oh, ride, children, ride.
Apply this song to your daily activities as
well as to other vehicles. Some examples
might be: drivin’ in the car — beep beep beep;
cleanin’ up my room — sweep sweep sweep; or
helpin’ Mom with dinner — stir stir stir.
Hinë Rakevet
(Here Comes the Train)
Hebrew Children’s Song
Hinë rakevet shimistovevet
Al galgalim al galgalim al galgalim
Al galgalim.
Hinë rakevet shimistovevet
Al galgalim al galgalim al galgalim.
Vs. 2
Better get your ticket, oh, yes, etc.
Vs. 3
Train is a leavin’, oh, yes, etc.
Vs. 4
Train’s goin’ faster, oh, yes, etc.
Vs. 5
Train’s goin’ slower, oh, yes, etc.
(slower) Here comes the train now,
Right down the train track.
Its shiny wheels go ‘round and
‘round and ‘round and ‘round
And ‘round and ‘round.
Vs. 6
Goin’ through some tunnels, oh, yes, etc.
Repeat four times, getting faster each time!
For more train fun, check your library for
I Love Trains by Philemon Sturges —
you and your child will both enjoy this one.
Time for a family train! Line up, hold onto
each other’s hips, and chug around the
room while listening to this song. Listen carefully,
though...the speed just might change from time
to time!
Vs. 7
Comin’ to the station, oh, yes, etc.
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Here Is My Hoop
Susan James Frye
Here is my hoop like the shining sun.
Hold your hoop overhead, using both hands.
It is smiling down on everyone.
Here is my hoop all nice and round.
Roll hoop as you would a tire.
I can roll my hoop across the ground.
Here is my hoop like a boat on the ocean.
Sit in the “boat,” rock side to side.
I rock side to side with a gentle motion.
Here is my hoop upon the floor.
Circle the hoop in four jumps.
I jump around it and count to four.
One, two, three, four!
Sophie, what will your color be?
Purple!
Sophie chose a purple balloon.
Sophie chose a purple balloon.
“What color would you like to choose today?”
I chose a [insert color] balloon.
Balloons, balloons, a bunch of balloons,
A bunch of balloons have we.
Does your child know the favorite colors
of everyone in the family? She can make
a balloon for each of you! Have her draw and cut
out a paper balloon for every member of your
family. (She can either use colored paper or white
paper that she then colors with crayons or markers.) Punch a hole in the bottom of each “balloon”
and tie a ribbon or string through it, then present
it to the proper family member to enjoy.
Try listening to and acting out this poem
with other round objects at home. You
need something that can represent the sun,
roll across the floor, and move like a boat. How
about a ball or a plastic plate? Feel free to make
up your own verses!
Balloons, balloons, a bunch of balloons.
A bunch of balloons have we.
Let’s choose our colors for today.
What will your color be?
Alex, what will your color be?
Green!
Alex chose a green balloon.
Alex chose a green balloon.
continued
Translation and adapted text by LiPing Hudson
Left hand with the gong.
Right hand with the drum.
Drum and gong together, I sing my song.
No other melodies have I ever learned.
The only tune I know is the flower drum song.
Oh! My little friends,
Come and follow me.
Together a joyful song we sing.
The flower drum song is the one to be.
It will make you glad and free.
Shake, shake your heads.
Clap, clap your hands.
Left, right, front, back, turn around again.
We’re marching in a music wonderland.
Your preschooler may be fascinated by
the new and different vocal sounds of the
Chinese lyrics in this song. After you discuss the
two instruments (drum and violin) that accompany the singer, ask your child to imitate some
of these new vocal sounds. Experiment with
singing one of his favorite songs using some of
these sounds, such as “brrrr” or “yow.” This type
of vocal play can play an important role in your
child’s speech development, as he learns to put
together different sounds, and to understand how
these sounds feel in his mouth.
Balloon Colors
Claire Clark
Flower Drum (Feng Yong Huo Gu)
Dancing Balloons:
Waltz of the Flowers
(Instrumental)
Tchaikovsky, from “The Nutcracker”
This song is from the The Nutcracker
ballet by Tchaikovsky. It’s a perfect song
for scarf dancing. Don’t have a scarf? A dish
towel will work just fine. Encourage your child to
make up his own routine, or to dance along with
you or a sibling.
Sound of the Chimes
(Listening Activity)
What do these chimes remind you of?
Discuss with your child where sounds
like this might be heard. Do you hear them in
town? At your house? What kind of instrument
makes this sound?
10
Toy Cupboard (Instrumental)
This song features bells and chimes. You
can make your own chimes at home with
glasses, jars, or bottles. Fill several glass containers with different amounts of water and lightly
strike each one with a spoon. Encourage your
child to tell you which sounds are higher and
which are lower. Your preschooler will love making up her own songs with her new instrument!
BOOK: Tippity Tippity Too
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am a monkey. Tippity tippity tonkey.
[musical riff]
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
We are friends. The end.
Learning to rhyme is fun! Help your child
understand how the rhyming answers
in this story work. Then encourage him to make
up his own “Tippity tippity too” rhymes. What
happens when he answers “Who are you?” with
other animals, the names of family and friends, or
even inanimate objects around the house?
Animal Dance
Based on the American Folk Song,
“Down in the Meadow”
(Instrumental)
(Man singing)
Down in the meadow,
hop-a-doodle, hop-a-doodle.
Down in the meadow, hop-a-doodle-doo!
Down in the meadow the horse
began to prance,
The cow began to whistle and the pig
began to dance.
Claire Clark
“You can read your Kindermusik book while
listening to the recording. Just turn the page
each time you hear this sound: [musical riff].
The title of the book is printed on the front
cover, ‘Tippity Tippity Too.’ Ready?
Open the book!”
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am a bear. Tippity tippity tear.
(Children making animal sounds)
[musical riff]
(Children making animal sounds)
(Man singing, repeats verse three times)
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am a cat. Tippity tippity tat.
Check out the book Animal Boogie by
Debbie Harter. This is a book to sing
along with, and its repetitive and catchy chorus
will have your little animals movin’ and groovin’ all
over the house!
[musical riff]
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am a bunny. Tippity tippity tunny.
[musical riff]
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am a dog. Tippity tippity tog.
Tiptoe Too: Dance of the
Reed Flutes (Instrumental)
[musical riff]
Tchaikovsky, from “The Nutcracker”
Tippity tippity too. Who are you?
I am an elephant. Tippity tippity telephant.
Another Nutcracker piece, this song
lends itself to tiptoe dancing. Tiptoeing
strengthens the leg muscles and also enhances
your child’s balance and self-control.
[musical riff]
continued
Animal Sounds
(Listening Activity)
Get out the playdough and let your child
sculpt each animal that he hears on this
track. When he’s finished, have him do it again...
blindfolded! Creating a sculpture from the picture
in his head turns this activity into a multi-sensory
adventure!
11
Teddy Bear
Ev’rybody Wave and
Sing Goodbye
Traditional
Words & Music by Carol Jilling
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, turn around.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, touch the ground.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, show your shoe.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, that will do.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, brush your hair.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, climb the stair.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, reach for the sky.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, wave goodbye.
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, ……..
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, ……..
Teddy bear, Teddy bear, ……..
Can your child help her own Teddy bear
(or other favorite stuffed animal) follow
the instructions in this song? After she walks
her stuffed animal through the motions, help her
extend those motions to create a dance with her
Teddy. The last verse leaves out some of the
words. How can your child fill in the blanks to
make her dance more interesting?
The Bear Went
Over the Mountain
American Folk Song
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
To see what he could see.
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see.
The bear went over the mountain,
To see what he could see.
Ev’rybody wave and sing goodbye.
Ev’rybody wave and sing goodbye.
Ev’rybody wave and sing goodbye.
Sing goodbye, goodbye.
Vs. 2
Ev’rybody clap and sing goodbye, etc.
Vs. 3
Ev’rybody jump and sing goodbye, etc.
Look on the Internet to learn how to say
goodbye in other languages, like French,
German, and Spanish. Your child will love learning
these new words and teaching them to his friends!
Vs. 2
The bunny went over the mountain, etc.
Vs. 3
The monkey went over the mountain, etc.
This jazzy arrangement leaves a little
space between the words “the” and
“mountain” so that there’s just enough time for a
clap. Help your child clap in that space. What’s
different about the “bunny” verse?
Arabian Dance
(Instrumental)
Tchaikovsky, from “The Nutcracker”
This piece is also from the Nutcracker.
See if your local library has a DVD of the
Nutcracker Ballet available for check-out. You and
your child will enjoy seeing the real dances that
go along with these pieces she’s heard in class.
12