Fine motor development
An infant participates in a nursery rhyme with simple hand motions.
None
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
[Sit facing an infant who is sitting alone or with support. Talk with the infant to establish connection. Explain that you would like to sing some songs.]
[Look and smile at the infant while you sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Move your hands and arms to the music in a calm manner. Do not use the accompanying hand motions.
Describe the infant’s reactions. Example: “You listened to me sing about a star. You are smiling. I think you like the song.”
Repeat “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” this time with the accompanying hand motions.
Describe the infant’s reactions.
Explain that you would like to sing the song again and move the infant’s hands with the song. Repeat the song and gently move the infant’s body unless there are signals from the infant that he/she does not want to participate in this way. See adjacent suggested hand motions and Extra Support scaffolding tips.
Smile and acknowledge any kind of infant participation. Examples: “You watched your little hands move to the music.” “You kicked your legs while we sang the song.”]
I sang a song and we moved our hands to the music.
[Describe the infant’s participation. Example: “You liked the song about the star! I saw you kicking your feet and smiling.”]
The activity plan gradually increases the role and complexity of movements with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” by beginning with your general movements, shifting to your more specific movements, and then gently moving the infant’s hands. The song will be familiar to most infants and is part of other ELM activity plans. See the Extra Support scaffolding tips for adapting to infant responses.
The coordination of movements with the song is a central focus of the current activity. Hearing you sing and feeling the movements may be a new experience for some infants. Most infants will enjoy the sensation of moving to the song and may add their own motions, such as kicking. Infants are not expected to imitate your actions, although it is fine if they attempt to do so. Some infants may appear quite serious as they watch you sing.
Extra support
Enrichment
Fine motor development
Infants participate together in a nursery rhyme with hand motions.
None
Be Prepared: Be familiar with the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” This informal gathering adapts the Option 1 activity. The nursery rhyme and hand motions are the same as Option 1. Infants generally have a different experience with music and movements when participating with other infants. See Option 1 for lyrics and suggested hand motions.
Sit on the floor facing several infants who can sit independently or with support. Nonmobile infants will enjoy the songs from secure positions that are next to you.
Say each child’s name to welcome the infants. Example: “I am happy to see (child’s name), (child’s name), and (child’s name). We are all here together. Let’s sing and have fun.”
Explain that you want to share a song about a star. Stars are way up in the sky. Invite infants to reach with their hands, up to the sky. Sing the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” with hand motions. Encourage the older infants to imitate hand motions. Example: “Let’s all make a star with our fingers.” Demonstrate opening and closing hands.
You may see early mobile and mobile infants moving their hands as you sing and demonstrate the actions. Holding hands up and/or moving fingers may represent infants’ current skill in imitating your hand motions. Infants may prefer to watch and listen. Infants’ language skills are strengthened by listening to familiar songs. Infants may understand some words they cannot say. The experience supports memory and receptive language. Some mobile infants may begin to say or sing a few words.
Extra support
Enrichment
Materials Needed: Nursery Rhymes by Roger Priddy (available as a board book with flaps and also with a sing-along CD) or My First Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes by Lisa McCue or, if available Clap Your Hands by Kay Widdowson
Hold a nonmobile infant on your lap, sing familiar songs, and clap the infant’s hands together if the infant seems to enjoy it. Sit on the floor with infants as they play. Some of the children may enjoy a repeat of the Option 1 (or 2) activity. Share a nursery rhyme book with one or several infants. Infants will enjoy hearing you read or sing one or more rhymes. Draw attention to how you are moving your hands.
Materials Needed: Miss Mary Mack by Mary Ann Hoberman
For older children in your setting, consider reading Miss Mary Mack, a book based on a hand-clapping rhyme adapted by Mary Ann Hoberman. Children will enjoy the repetition and rhyme as you read the book. The large size is good for reading to a group of children. Older children also may enjoy talking about times when people clap, such as sporting or musical events.
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