What to expect at Shake, Rattle and Rhyme

This is a little guide of what to expect when you come to a Shake, Rattle and Rhyme session at the Kirkgate Centre.  I have included links to some of the songs we use.

Shake, Rattle and Rhyme follows a structure that I have found to work well with children 18 months to 4 years old.  I have a predictable format so that children know what to expect and feel like they are a part of the "club" (so to speak).  I also do it this way because it has a social evolving effect where the child plays with their parent, then does an activity they can do with the group, and finally an activity that calls for individuality and bravery.  I know that sounds over the top, but watch a kid for about four sessions.  If the child has had no preschool experience, they will usually sit at the back in their safety net for the first session (they may not make it through the first session at all), eventually the safety net stretches a bit and they go back and forth from parent to props.  Finally their safety net envelops the whole group and they join in the middle, independent from their parental unit.

Shake, Rattle and Rhyme format:

• Hello Song

• Instrument Exploration- this section is pretty much the same every week.  Children get to choose a percussion instrument that is placed in the middle of the floor.
• "Happy and you know it, play along"
• Slow to fast song with music
• "Walk along Josie"
• 
  
• "Sailor Went to Sea"

• Rhyme with rhythm
• "Tick, tock"
• "Horsey, Horsey"
• Play along to music
• Musical statues
• "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain"
• Clean Up

• Movement-the activities in the section change every 3-4 weeks so that the activity is learned.
• "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
• Movement song of the month.
• Parachute time

• Magic Bag-  It never ceases to amaze me how much children love "Magic Bag."  This activity is much more than singing and memorizing ageless rhymes and songs.  The "Magic Bag" is filled with items that represent a common nursery song.  In order to pick from it, the child must sit quietly and wait their turn.  This is where you really get to see the kids who have profited from coming to sessions.  You get to see the child in the back who is clinging to their parent become an individual as they slowly creep closer and closer so they can have a go.  "Magic Bag" can also help children experience disappointment when they don't get the item they want or they don't get to choose first.  I feel it is also good for the parent because they can observe and let their child be an individual and allow them to choose, solve conflict or ease their disappointment for themselves.

• Goodbye Song

Come by and see me wednsdays at 10:30 at the Kirkgate Centre, Shipley

Heads Up... Shake, Rattle and Rhyme Dates for the Summer.

I personally believe in providing sessions regardless of school holidays.  Summer is the only exception.  Shake, Rattle and Rhyme will continue to be on Wednesdays 10:30-11:15 at the Kirkgate Centre until July 24th.  September 4th will be the first day back.

Bradford Libraries' Rhymetime Challenge 2019

Bradford Libraries Rhymetime Challenge Website

It's that time again, a chance to get our rhyme on.

This year we have some new rhymes that even I have to learn.  The Rhymes this year are:

One Finger, One Thumb
5 Speckled Frogs
Frere Jacques
Jack in a Box
Star

To get started,  I will add some links to the songs for you to learn at home.  You can also go to the Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge website to download the songs and certificates if you are choosing to do the rhymes at home.


One Finger, One Thumb (site)

One finger, one thumb keep moving
One finger, one thumb keep moving
One finger, one thumb keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright
One finger, one thumb, one arm keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head, keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, sit down keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, sit down keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, sit down keep moving
We'll all be happy and bright
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, turn round, sit down keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, turn round, sit down keep moving
One finger, one thumb, one arm, one leg, one nod of the head 
Stand up, turn round, sit down keep moving
We'll be happy and bright

3 Little Speckled Frogs

Three little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were two speckled frogs
Two little speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there was one speckled frog
One green speckled frog
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs. Yum! Yum!
He jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were no speckled frogs


Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping?)

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques,
Dormez vous? Dormez vous?
Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines
Ding Ding Dong, Ding Ding Dong
 
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing,
morning bells are ringing
Ding Ding Dong, Ding Ding Dong.

Shake, Rattle and Rhyme confirmed

I am happy to announce the return of Little Sprout's Music Studio under Shake, Rattle and Rhyme. This time we will be running from a different location: Kirkgate Centre in Shipley BD18 3EH, Beginning November 21st at 10. 

Our space is HUGE! There are also bathrooms, a place to store your prams and a cafe so after the session you can sit and talk and have some food or drink.This group will be the same as Little Sprout's Mini Music Makers. We will have instrument time, movement time and Magic Bag time. The new space allows us to expand activities and space for parents to talk. Besides finally having a bathroom, the Kirkgate Centre will open their Cafe to us and you are allowed to stay until 12:30.

Cool Beans! I am so excited.See you November 21st at 10:00
Kirkgate Center

Labour Party Supports Shipley Library and Mini Music Makers

As the elections draw close, I just wanted to let you know that Mini Music Makers is something being supported by the Labour party. I don't exactly support any political party in particular as I am not allowed to vote and I also believe that you should never push your politics on others. However, I was very proud about this.


I recently found out that Ben Pickles, Shipley Ward Labour Party candidate, mentioned Mini Music Makers in a recent speech against the cuts to funding for Bradford Libraries. It is nice to know that Mini Music Makers helps support the local libraries and that our little group has done something for the families in Shipley. Thanks to all my parents and carers who continue to attend our sessions. -Ms. Jess.

Week 2 Rhymetime Challenge

This week's rhyme is "Wind the Bobbin Up".  It is one of my favourites.

Admittedly there isn't much Makaton to this song that we don't already do naturally.

I found this little cheat sheet from Let's Play Music to help with the hand movements.

The words to Wind the Bobbin Up are:

Wind the bobbin up 

Wind the bobbin up

Pull, pull, clap clap clap 

Wind it back again 

Wind it back again 

Pull, pull, clap clap clap 

Point to the ceiling 

Point to the floor 

Point to the window 

Point to the door Clap your hands, 1, 2, 3 

Place your hands upon your knees 

(repeat)

I can't wait to see everyone's bus pictures from last week.  We will find a spot in the library to hang them up.

Rhymetime Challenge Week One

Look at all of the beautiful snow!  I am so sorry to have cancelled the library session today, but look at all the snow!

Next week is week on of the Book Start Rhymetime Challenge and we will be doing "The Wheels on the Bus".

I came across the Makaton sheet for this and you can find it here.

I also wanted to give a little extra activity and that is for you to draw a picture of a bus.  Really it can be any bus related art project.  If your child likes to scribble in red, great.  If they like to paste pictures of buses, great.  If they want you to draw the picture and have you write a couple of words about a bus trip, that is great too.    (I am so excited about this).

Have fun in the snow.  Stay safe and warm.

See you next week,