Concentration
Toddlers observe body movements coordinated with words of the “I’m a Little Teapot” song.
Toy teapot
Be Prepared: Become familiar with the words and actions of the song, “I’m a Little Teapot.” You may wish to refer to the book suggested in Optional Reading or an Internet source. It is recommended you not use a video or CD for the activity. Toddlers will benefit from observing and interacting with you! Your singing the song also allows the words and songs to be adapted to toddlers’ reactions.
[Invite several toddlers to join you for a song about a teapot. Display the toy teapot. Point to parts of the teapot as you describe them.]
We are going to learn a new song today! Our song is about a teapot like the teapot I am holding.
This is a teapot. We make tea in a teapot. Tea is something we drink. Tea is made with water. The water goes in this part.
Where do you think the tea comes out?
[Repeat and expand toddlers’ responses. Example: “Lamar said ‘tip.’ We tip the teapot to pour out the tea.”]
[Point to and describe the teapot’s handle and spout.
Demonstrate and describe the tipping action with the teapot.]
We lift the handle to tip the teapot. The tea comes out through its spout when we tip the teapot to pour the tea.
I am going to sing a song about a teapot. I am going to pretend to be a teapot while I sing the song!
Please use your eyes to watch what I do.
[Point to your eyes.]
Please use your ears to listen to the song.
[Point to your ears.]
[Sing the words of the song as you show toddlers the accompanying motions. Sing the words clearly and at a pace that allows children to hear each word. Smile and look at each toddler as you sing.
Repeat and describe the three basic motions without the song.]
First we put our hand on our hip to make the handle.
Next we put out our other arm for a spout. Remember, the spout is where the tea comes out!
Last we tip to the side. The tea pours out when we tip the teapot.
[Repeat the song with the three basic motions. Encourage toddlers to observe the motions and listen to the words.]
Today we listened to the words of a song about a teapot. We watched movements for the words. We learned how a teapot works. It is fun to pretend our body is a teapot!
Concentration
Toddlers practice making body movements to the “I’m a Little Teapot” song.
Toy teapot
Be Prepared: Become familiar with the words and actions of the song, “I’m a Little Teapot.” You may wish to refer to the book suggested in Optional Reading or use an Internet source.
Invite several toddlers to sing a song about a teapot. Show toddlers the toy teapot and describe how it works. Label and describe the handle and the spout. Explain how we tip the teapot and pour the tea out of the spout. Introduce the song and invite toddlers to listen to the words and sing with you. Sing the words slowly and clearly while demonstrating the movements. Smile and look at each toddler.
After singing the song with toddlers, review each of the three main movements without the words and invite toddlers to imitate you. The main movements are:
Example: “I put my hand on my hip to make a handle. Can you put your hand on your hip, like I am doing? Next, I put my other arm out to make the spout. Let’s all pretend to be a teapot with a handle and spout!”
Invite toddlers to make the movements as you sing the song slowly.
Observe toddlers’ efforts with the body movements. You may wish to review specific words and accompanying movements and practice the song again. Example: “Would you like to do the song again? Let’s try one more time!”
Concentration
Toddlers coordinate singing and movement during a song.
Toy teapot
Be Prepared: Become familiar with the words and actions of the song, “I’m a Little Teapot.” You may wish to refer to the book suggested in Optional Reading or use an Internet source. This option differs from Option 2 by encouraging toddlers to sing the song with you while making the movements. Singing (or thinking about singing) and also making the corresponding body movements is more challenging than doing the movements without trying to also sing.
Invite several toddlers to sing a song about a teapot. Sing the song slowly and repeat phrases that may be challenging for toddlers to say or sing. Include the body movements when you sing. Show toddlers the toy teapot and describe how it works. Emphasize how we tip the handle of the teapot to pour the tea out of the spout. Invite toddlers to sing and do the accompanying movements with you. Sing clearly and slowly, accentuating each body movement. Encourage toddlers to move their bodies with you as you sing the song. Encourage toddlers to sing with you. You may wish to repeat the song several times. Acknowledge each toddler’s efforts to participate.
The activity plan offers different types of opportunities for toddlers to practice concentration skills. Pay attention to toddlers’ visual engagement of your demonstration of a teapot (the toy teapot as well as your body as an imaginary teapot) and their efforts to do each of the three main movements. The description of a teapot and how it works is an important part of each option. Some toddlers may not be familiar with a real teapot. It is a useful cognitive challenge for toddlers to think about the song and its actions in relation to how a teapot works.
At this age, toddlers are just beginning to do motions as they sing or say rhymes. Some toddlers may not sing and move at the same time, whereas others may say words and do the corresponding motions. Some toddlers may focus on the motions, and others may focus on the words. Even though Option 3 invites toddlers to sing, it is likely that many will not sing or may sing one or two words. Toddlers will probably think about the words even when they are not singing. Positively recognize and acknowledge all levels of participation, and maintain a lighthearted approach to the activity without becoming an entertainer the toddlers simply watch.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: water table, toy teapot, toy drinking cups or saucers
Invite several toddlers to play with the teapot and cups in the water table. Encourage toddlers to practice tipping and pouring water out of the teapot and into the cups. Toddlers may wish to sing the song while they tip and pour with the teapot.
Materials Needed: juice and snack, real teapot, cups
Participating in song and movement activities is enjoyable for children of all ages. Infants will enjoy watching and being part of the group. After singing the “I’m a Little Teapot” song with actions (see activity descriptions), invite children to a tea party. Provide juice and a snack. Use a real teapot (that you manage) to pour juice or water into cups. Invite older children to set the table and pass out the snack.
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