The three options gradually increase the challenge of coordinating physical movements and words to a song. The first and second options promote skill in paying attention, and the third option adds the task of recalling both actions and movements. In the first two options, look at how children watch your actions. You may wish to describe specifics of an action if you notice puzzled faces. In the third option, look at the ease with which children engage in singing and coordinating the appropriate movement. Toddlers who are new to the song may be more successful starting with the first option. Keep in mind that many toddlers are relatively new to the task of doing an action in coordination with a word. Some may do the motion but not say the word, whereas others may say the words but not do an action. Positively acknowledge all levels of participation.

Extra support

• Briefly mention the skill that helps children be successful in each of the three options. Examples: (for Option 1) “We know what actions to do because we paid attention to what I did with my arms and hands. We listened to the words in the song.” (for Option 3): “We are remembering what actions to do with different parts of our song.”
• If toddlers seem to have difficulty focusing on a specific action, it may be helpful to invite children to “get their wiggles out.” Example: “Let’s stand up and get our wiggles out.” Lead toddlers in wiggling (in the following order) their arms, legs, feet, and their whole body. Then ask toddlers to sit again so the bus song can continue. Example: “We did a good job getting our wiggles out. Now we are ready to sit on the floor and sing our song again.”
• Help toddlers understand key words and related actions when you introduce a new verse. Example: “People are ‘up’ when they are getting on or off the bus. People are ‘down’ when they sit to ride the bus. Let’s all practice ‘up’ and down’ by moving our bodies.”

Enrichment

• Provide a toy bus for toddlers to touch and hold before and/or after the song. Encourage toddlers to turn the wheels and open and close the doors like the actions in the song.
• Invite toddlers to select verses they would like to sing and move to. Some toddlers may enjoy making up their own verses for the group to sing.