Christmas is near and Christmas carols are being played on the radio, in programs, stores, and basically all around. Singing with children is such a lovely family tradition, but why not divert away from the traditional carols, maybe just for a little while and sing some fun piggy-back songs sung to traditional children's tunes? Here are a few to try:
Songs Around the Christmas Tree
The traditional Christmas tree fascinates children with all the bulbs and bubbles that adorn its branches. Christmas is magical for children, so these songs make it fun. Sing this first song to the tune of "This Old Man." The title is "Toys on the Christmas Tree" and has several other verses.
This little drum, on the tree,
Santa put it there for me,
With a boom-boom, rat-a-tat,
Rummy-tummy-tum,
Christmas Day is so much fun!
Children love to sing "The Wheels on the Bus", so this time make it a fun Christmas song with these new words.
The lights on the tree go blink, blink, blink,
Blink, blink, blink, blink, blink, blink,
The lights on the tree go blink, blink, blink,
All Christmas day.
Continue singing all the following verses:
The presents at the house go rattle, rattle, rattle ...
The mom at the house goes bake, bake, bake ...
The dad at the house goes snore, snore, snore ...
The grandma at the house goes hug, hug, hug ...
The grandpa at the house goes kiss, kiss, kiss ...
Since this song is open-ended, think of new verses together to add to this song.
Songs About Christmas Bells
When singing this song to the tune of "Jimmy Crack Corn", pass out different types of bells to ring as the children sing.
Ring those bells and turn around,
Ring those bells and turn around,
Ring those bells and turn around,
For Christmas time is here!
Continue with these verses and make up some new ones.
Ring those bells and stomp your feet ...
Ring those bells and jump up high ...
Songs About Santa
Sing this song about Santa to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The title is called "Down The Chimney Santa Come."
Guess whose beard is long and white?
Long and white? Long and white?
Guess whose beard is long and white?
Dear old Santa!
Encourage the children to think of other verses they can create.
Singing is a family tradition that should be done often, not just on holidays. It teaches children how to use their voice, thinking skills (follow a tune), and creativity. Make use of piggy-back songs as they are easy to compose and can be used for so many occasions.
Sources:
Note About Songs: Authors Unknown
Fortune City Website. "Toys on the Christmas Tree" and "Down the Chimney Santa Come" (accessed December 12, 2009).
Tania Cowling - Tania Kourempis Cowling is a former early childhood teacher, a published author of three teacher resource books (Shake, Tap, and Play a ...
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