The Musically Montessori Tot: "Toddlers-At-Home" Activities

THE MUSICALLY MONTESSORI TOT: Toddlers-At-Home Activities!   

 Did you know that Toddlers respond to musical activities before almost any other activity?  Adding music to your day is my secret to engaging your Montessori Toddler.

Joplin, aged 27 months. Photo by Carolyn Lucento for Magical Movement Company

The Musically Montessori Tot

During our worldwide pandemic, more and more families have been asking me "What do I do all day with my young children at home?"

Recently I have found that the age group that families ask me about most is the toddler group...those adorable two year olds.

"Twosies" are considered a challenging crowd! 

You know...that stage between babyhood and preschoolers. (around 15 months to 36 months of age)

Our Musically Montessori Tots are typically learning to walk and are not fully verbal or completely potty-trained. Yet that "tot" is in constant motion and absorbing information continually. (think: "absorbent mind")

And, I've observed over the decades in my career as a Montessori educator that, the youngest children are keenly responsive to the sounds happening in the environment surrounding them.

Most every baby, no matter where s/he is born, has some form of a rattle that attracts the child's attention immediately and soon becomes the child's way of "making music" when s//he first intentionally grasps the rattle to shake it herself.  

Well, at least,  I consider this"making music!"

Emilio, aged 2 months. Photo by Amanda Cuartas for Musically Montessori Baby-Ed eCourses

The black & white crocheted baby rattle pictured here is from an Etsy shop and is included in my musical materials list at the end of this blog article. 

Montessori Sensitive Period for Music Begins with Infancy

Studies show that the unborn child responds to sounds, especially music, as early as the second and third trimester of development before birth. 

Infants have delicate hearing at birth and prefer sounds that are lower in pitch.  That is why it is important that we protect the newborn baby from loud and extremely high-pitched sounds. Rather offer lower-pitched sounds made by instruments like the acoustic guitar, and one of my favorites, the mbira, or thumb piano!

Watch Joplin's first encounter with the little "thumb piano" in his Montessori environment.

 

Because children from birth through around age 6, have sensitive hearing, they are capable of learning their home language and even multiple languages spoken in the environment.

Likewise, at this time in development, the child is especially responsive to music and musical activities! 

 

Maria Montessori used her observations as a physician, and a teacher, to develop her theories concerning what she titled "sensitive periods" of development in the young child.

"The sense perceptions of even the tiniest infants initiate their psychic development before there can be any questions of its external expressions...  Even though this development takes place in secret, it would be wrong to imagine, as in the case of speech, for example, that it is not happening...  Little by little the ears pick out various sounds and the child's tongue begins to move with a new animation...  The child is passing through a sensitive period: a divine command is breathing upon this helpless being and animating it with its spirit." (The Secret of Childhood, p. 37-45 by Dr. Maria Montessori)

Incorporating Musical Instruments in Your Child's Environment 

In my experience, the youngest children benefit greatly from carefully selected recorded music, but they benefit even more so from live music right in their homes!

When you play your guitar or piano, your dulcimer or flute, for your child, s/he not only feels the vibrations and hears the sound of the music, but s/he also responds by moving.  All the while, your child is absorbing important information, in a sensorial way, from these live music experiences.

Whether you actually play an instrument or not, as a parent you can provide simple rhythm instruments for your baby, toddler, and young child to explore. 

I recommend investing in a selection of pleasant sounding wooden rhythm instruments such as rhythm sticks, a tambourine, castanets, and maracas, along with sweet sounding bells and a triangle. 

I try to steer clear of plastic instruments for young children. First, because very young children explore everything with their mouths, and the safety of plastic is still questionable especially for infants. Secondly, children's instruments that are made of plastic tend to have a harsh sound, as opposed to a sweeter and truer sound of wood or metal. 

Basket of children's rhythm instruments. Photo by Carolyn for Magical Movement Company

There are also many high quality, pitched instruments made for children, that you can introduce to your, child,  first by playing it yourself and then offering it to her to explore making her own sounds...making her own  music!

Here is a 1-minute video showing Emilio at age 8 months, exploring sounds and making music with a lap harp (melody harp) designed for children.

   

If you happen to be a music freak, like me, you might consider setting up a music corner in your family room to "make music" with each other, especially during these shelter-in-place days of covid 19. 

Music Corner of the Family Room. Photo by Carolyn for Magical Movement Company

Meet Joplin, my favorite little Musically Montessori Tot

A few months ago, I began working with my youngest godchild, Joplin. He and his family are members of our pandemic pod and Joplin comes to my house three days a week to make music with me. He also happens to be the child of one of my former little Montessori students from the 1990's. I first met Joplin's mom when she was a toddler herself!

t o

Musically Montessori Tot "making music" in the family room

Photo by Carolyn for Magical Movement Company

The first day that Joplin came over to my house, I had set out an array of instruments and was looking forward to seeing which ones he would want to explore. 

He went straight for the ukulele!

I was a bit surprised since I thought he would go for one of the many drums I had out...or one of the the barred  instruments with their sturdy mallets.

But, Joplin went for the ukulele and now that is always the very first thing he wants to do when he comes to my house...play the little ukulele!

This video below is a little glimpse of Joplin playing the ukulele in the family room music corner.  I have discovered that having a small selection of quality instruments available to my Montessori Tot, creates an endless variety of  engaging activities right at our finger tips!

My Quick List of Music Resources 

Suggestions 

for the Musically Montessori Tot (& family)

Musically Montessori Tot collection of toddler-friendly rhythm instruments 

Photo by Carolyn for Magical Movement Company

1. Mbira (thumb piano)
2. Mostly wooden rhythm instruments set
3. Ukelele
4. Montessori style baby rattle
5. Guitar, Autoharp, Flute, etc (the adults can play these for the child)
6. Toddler & Infant-friendly instruments by Plan Toys  
7. Toddler-friendly Orff-Style barred instruments
8. Recorded music from Frank Leto,  also Elizabeth Mitchell, and Tamara O'Brien (just a FEW artists that I love, and will get you started)

Studio 49 "Easycussion" Xylophone 

Photo by Carolyn for Magical Movement Company

More Resources 

from 

Magical Movement Company & Homebound Montessori

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Thank you for visiting my Blog today. I hope you have fun with your musically Montessori tot!

Copyright 2020 Carolyn Lucento Magical Movement Company

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Musically Montessori: Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of Your Preschool Group

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR PRESCHOOL GROUP? Try these musical ideas!

This post is my musical group management article "Day 4," the third in my "24 Strategies" series. 

You can read the other posts at the links below:

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

             You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You can read "Day 2" at this link.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read "Day 3" at this link.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You are reading this one right here.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

            You can read "Day 5" at this link.

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for regaining control when your group is becoming a bit chaotic.

First of all, if you thoughtfully plan and establish your classroom schedule, routines, and procedures, you will likely have very few times of chaos.  

However, things happen!... like power outages, unexpected visitors, and even a tiny spider crawling across the circle rug. Things like this can easily cause a bit of chaos!

"Out of control" young children in a group can be challenging for us teachers to guide back to a manageable level. Of course, prevention is the best way to keep chaos from happening, but what do you do when you feel you have lost control of the group?

DAY 4: TO REGAIN CONTROL OF GROUP

Okay, when a little spider suddenly lands in the middle of the circle rug, there is no way that children are going to keep paying attention to your lovely lesson. They are going to pay attention to the lovely little creature in their midst! 

So, you calmly and carefully remove the spider and take it to its home outdoors. (this might be a great time to sing the itsy-bitsy spider song!)

However, it may take a bit for the children to re-focus. 

I have a few little musical strategies in my back pocket that I pull out quickly and handily. 

Here are my favorites: 

Strategy #14 
"LITTLE PONY SONG"

If you have taken any of my eCourses, then you are familiar with the way I use "The Little Pony Song" to help children get focused and sit cross-legged at group time.

Here's a quick video to demonstrate how I do it:

If you would prefer to play a recording to guide the children through the actions I use with this song, try this one: 

"Macaroni Pony Song" at Amazon.

Strategy #15
"1-2 BUCKLE MY SHOE"

Sometimes, I've found myself with half the group ready for Circle and the other children still transitioning with cleaning up from their work-time activities. 

This catchy little clapping rhythm can capture the attention of the children sitting ready for circle,  and also engage the others who are busily tidying up.

This is a clapping rhythm with actions :

"1-2, buckle my shoe" (act out clasping a shoe)

"3-4 shut the door" (move arm as if closing a door)

"5-6 pick up sticks"  (pretend you are gathering sticks)

"7-8 lay them straight" (pretend to place "sticks" one by one in a line)

"9-10 a big fat hen" (make a big motion with arms stretched wide)  

Strategy #16 
"CLAPPING A RHYTHM & BODY PERCUSSION"

If you've ever observed an experienced Kindergarten teacher gathering a group of children, you've seen the age-old technique of clapping a rhythm and how it gets the children's attention right away!

The trick is to clap a simple, short rhythm pattern, such as "clap, clap, clap-clap-clap!" Sometimes children will spontaneously join in and clap the pattern themselves. Be sure to leave them time to clap back. Or better yet, continue the activity by repeating the pattern yourself. 

Another important part of clapping a rhythm pattern with children is to keep the underlying pulse steady and not too slow, not too fast...but just right!

As the children become more engaged, you can add a pat to the rhythm. Even if you keep the same rhythm pattern, you can change to tapping the thighs or stamping the feet. These little changes, with the same rhythm pattern, will easily be picked up by the children and before you know it, the group is organized and attentive! 

Strategy #17
 RINGING A BELL

If there was ever a traditional technique to gain the attention of a group,  ringing a bell has to be that! Bell-ringing is used everywhere in the world to signal that it is time to quiet down and pay attention. 

In the classic Montessori environment, bell-ringing is done in a gentle manner with the pure sound of a small brass bell. The sustained ring of a sweet, shiny bell. Teachers through the ages have used the familiar sound to call the group to attention. 

Sometimes, there is a need for the children to look away from their work to listen to an important announcement. Many Montessori teachers rely on the designated little bell that is always heard when it is time to transition to the next part of the day. Because the children are accustomed to reacting to this bell, they will automatically direct their attention to the teacher who is ringing it at another time that is off the regular schedule. 

When using a bell to regain control of the group, it is important to reserve this strategy for times when the group level of activity during work time is reaching a crescendo, but is not yet out of control. It is most effective as a preventative and less effective when the noise level has gotten so high that the children may not be able to actually hear it. 

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Thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope you have gotten some ideas for musical fun with your group!

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Musically Montessori: Day 3: Musical Ways to Manage Daily Routines in the Montessori Classroom

MANAGING THE DAILY PROCEDURES IN A GROUP OF PRESCHOOLERS CAN HAVE A MAGICAL INGREDIENT...MUSIC!

Using music and songs can make your classroom procedures go along effortlessly and very proficiently. Singing is my magic wand for managing the everyday activities in the Montessori environment.

This post is my musical group management article "Day 3," the third in my "24 Strategies" series. 

You can read the other posts in this series by clicking on the links below:

           

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

             You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You can read "Day 2" at this link.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read this one right here.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

            You can read "Day 5" at this link.

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for reinforcing the daily routine activities that make a classroom move along smoothly. 

*"Show...show...show"*

A little child's brain is like a sponge...an "absorbent mind." I think this is one of the most exciting things about teaching young children. As Montessori educators, we actually don't need to teach, as much as "show, show, show!" This little phrase was brought up many times during my Montessori training many years ago and, as a new teacher, I spent most of my days, showing and showing and showing. So, I decided to accompany all this "showing" with singing and I discovered that it works like magic!

DAY 3: 
MUSIC FOR MANAGING DAILY ROUTINES

There are so many components of the Montessori method that incorporate the principles of order, concentration, coordination, and independence. 

Montessori children take care of the environment themselves. Their tools are child-size and in good working order.  Each activity has an organized sequence to follow. Classroom procedures are well-defined and designed in such a way that the children can perform them without adult assistance. Each child sets up their individual work on a designated work rug or mat. Then, it is that child's responsibility to return their individual work to its place on the shelf. Children are encouraged to respect others' work, and it is understood that each child is allowed to complete their activity before the next child has a turn.

Songs can make some of these daily procedures easier for children to remember and follow, like for example:

• Setting up the work rug or mat
• Waiting in line
• Waiting for a turn
• Washing hands and self care
• Cleaning up
• Maintaining the environment
• Preparing food and eating together

Strategy #10 
"ROLL ROLL ROLL THE RUG"

I am surprised when I notice that very few classrooms teach the song, "Roll, roll, roll the Rug" to the children to remind them of how to successfully roll up a Montessori work rug.

When I was taking my second Montessori training in the 2000's, I learned this cute little musical trick for teaching children the technique of rolling and tapping the ends of the work rug.

The song is sung to the melody of "Row, row, row your Boat."

When presenting the lesson, the teacher is showing the children how to roll the rug while she sings the words of the song.

The rug rolling song uses these words:

"Roll, roll, roll the rug

Roll it nice and straight,

Tap the ends, tap the ends

Make sure that it is straight."

I love to sing this song whenever I see a child rolling up a rug. It is a delightful way to reinforce the lesson!

Strategy #11 
"THIS IS THE WAY WE..."

Okay, there are a gazillion little actions throughout each day that keep the Preschool environment running smoothly. 

Children must wash their hands, set up the snack table, sweep up crumbs on the floor, carry scissors, sit at circle, put away art work, scrub an art mat, put on an apron, cut a banana, carry a tray, hold a pencil...the list is endless!

When presenting the procedures for the various tasks that keep the classroom running smoothly, I almost always include a little song about the actions of the procedures. These songs can be short and sweet, or they can also have several verses. 

For example, washing hands has many steps and I sing about each one when I give the first lessons to the children at Circle Time.

If you don't know the song, "Here we go Round the Mulberry Bush" then you are in for a treat!  The simple melody of this song works beautifully with just about any set of actions you can think of!

Example: "Washing Hands Song" (to the melody of Mulberry Bush song)

While singing the words, the teacher is showing the children the actions by pantomiming (or actually doing it at the sink)

Verse 1:

"This is the way we wash our hands, 

wash our hands, wash our hands. 

This is the way we wash our hands, 

so early in the morning.

Verse 2:

This is the way we turn on the water, 

turn on the water, turn on the water,

This is the way we wet our hands,

so early in the morning.

Verse 3:

This is the way we pump the soap... (etc.)

Verse 4:

This is the way we rub hands together... (etc.)

Verse 5:

This is the way we rinse the soap off... (etc.)

Verse 6:

This is the way we turn off the water... (etc.)

Verse 7:

This is the way we dry our hands... (etc.)

Verse 8:

This is the way we throw away the paper towel... (etc.)

Strategy #12 
BEFORE EATING: "Bon Apetit"

Every early childhood environment I have seen, has a little procedure for eating together. 

First, the children are encouraged to wait until everyone is seated with their food.

Next, there is a simple way of settling and getting quiet. 

I like to sing a simple "Thank You Song" that is sung to the melody of "Rain, rain, Go Away."

Here are the words I like best: (sung to Rain, Rain song melody)

"Thank you, thank you 

Thank you for the snack,

Thank you, thank you

Thank you very much!"

Then we say (as opposed to singing) "Bon a petit, you may eat!"

This little musical moment of centering before eating together quickly becomes a classroom tradition and aids the children in remembering to stop, wait for everyone to get their food, and then to quiet down before taking that first bite!

Strategy #13 
TAKING TURNS: "We're waiting..."

Okay...we all know how trying it can be to have to wait! And, little children spend quite a bit of time waiting. At school, there is waiting in line, waiting for a turn, waiting to eat or waiting to go to the next activity. There are even times when it is so very hard to wait...like when the muffins are baking in the oven!

In my Montessori classroom music lessons, we sometimes have a special instrument that is passed around the circle for each child to try out. A few years ago, I discovered a sweet and simple little song to sing during times when children are having to wait for their turn to play that special instrument. 

My groups love singing it. Check out my video below to hear the "We're Waiting" Song  

You can easily change the words in the song to fit the situation. For example, we sing "We're Passing...passing...passing very carefully!" to remind the children to keep passing whatever object is being explored at group time. 

Here's a fun suggestion:

Turn the waiting time into an activity by singing, "We're clapping, clapping, clapping while we wait in line..."!

So here we have a few more musical ideas for classroom management with a gentle touch! 

Thanks once again for visiting my Blog today and I hope you are getting lots of ideas for musically managing your group in your Preschool environment!

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You might also like to learn more about classroom management in one of my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses. I invite you to check them out at this link!

     

 

Thanks once again for visiting my Blog today and I hope you are getting lots of ideas for musically managing your group in your Preschool environment!

Photos are from Magical Movement Company archives and from Adobe Stock. All rights reserved.

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Musically Montessori: Day 2: Music Activities For Managing Behavior ~ Grace & Courtesy Lessons

DO YOU EVER STRUGGLE WITH GROUP MANAGEMENT IN YOUR PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT? TRY MUSIC!

Today's activities feature my musical ideas for promoting grace & courtesy skills that encourage positive behavior.  

Photo by J J Idarius Photography

You can read the other posts at the links below:

Day 1: The VERY BEST Strategy: Using "Musical Messages!"

             You can read "Day 1" at this link. 

Day 2: Music for Lessons in Grace & Courtesy

            You are reading this one right here.

Day 3: Music for Daily Routines

            You can read "Day 3" at this link.

Day 4: Musical Techniques for Regaining Control of the Group

            You can read "Day 4" at this link.

Day 5: Musical Ways to Create a "Community of Learners"

            You can read "Day 5" at this link.

A BIT ABOUT SOCIAL GRACES and YOUNG CHILDREN

*"Teach" by your example*

One of the most effective ways to teach children the social graces is by your own example. They will naturally and spontaneously act the way the adults around them act. 

As teachers, we are trained to behave respectfully towards children, as well as other adults in the environment. A day in the Montessori classroom will have times for greeting & shaking hands, introducing ourselves to visitors, asking for things, apologizing, walking around others and their work, lining up, eating meals together, taking turns, and the list goes on and on!

*Don't force it*

My one rule of thumb in the classroom is not to force children to say "please", "thank you", and especially "I'm sorry."

However, consistently giving the children the language of grace and courtesy will be very effective. Songs and musical games can reinforce polite and positive interactions in a playful and fun way. 

Also, I have seen that children retain information when they have little songs to remind them.

*Be aware of cultural differences 
regarding social graces*

There are some families whose background may differ from the teacher's. (For example: Some cultures expect children to avoid making eye contact with adults, considering this to be disrespectful.) 

It is important for us, as teachers, to find out about any cultural differences in our groups that influence the children's grace and courtesy practices. Then, we can give our Grace & Courtesy Lessons in mindful ways.

DAY 2: 
MUSIC FOR GRACE & COURTESY

Personally, I love the classic Montessori lessons in Grace & Courtesy. When I was a classroom teacher, I always looked forward to giving these lessons during the first weeks of school. They are foundational in classroom management and the Lessons can be fun and effective, through music & movement!

My co-teacher and I would create little scenarios to present to the children. We would "dramatize" scenes like:  

• walking around The Circle as opposed to walking in front of others when children are gathered in a group 
• greeting each other and shaking hands
• listening and waiting for your turn to speak
• asking for things
• sitting at snack or lunch
• waiting in line
• taking turns
• walking around the work rug
• and, most importantly: how to give a "message" to others who are being hurtful

Here are some musical ways to present and reinforce some of the Montessori lessons in grace & courtesy:

Strategy #5.  
"WALK AROUND THE CIRCLE" SONG
FOR KEEPING ORDERLINESS 

One of my favorite songs for reminding children to walk around the group when children are gathered for Circle Time, is a song from Frank Leto that I have adapted as a simple reminder.

 "Walk Around the Circle" is a fun song to  play for the children as they move to the actions of the words. Then, I use the melody to simply sing the phrase "Walk around the circle" when showing children how to walk behind the sitting children. Later, whenever a reminder is necessary, I spontaneously sing the phrase, instead of saying it to the child.

Strategy #6.  
"PLEASE & THANK YOU SONGS"
FOR DEVELOPING RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

The little "drama lessons" that are shown at The Circle are delightful for the children, especially when the children are given turns to act these scenarios out themselves. 

Saying "please" when asking for something, then remembering to say "thank you" is so important in life! Children hear this over and over from all the adults around them. 

What is even more effective for reminding children of these "magic words" is singing them! 

You can view this little collection of short Youtube videos for ideas of how to remind the children in fun ways that will stick in their minds.

My groups LOVE using sign language for 

"please" and "thank you." 

This little song is simple and effective 
any time throughout the day:



This is a traditional "please and thank you song" that is fun to do at group time.  Here is a fun EXTENSION: You can pass around plastic veggies, fruit, and other play foods (or even butter) to enhance the song with actions!



Strategy #7. 
"PLEASE DON'T PUSH ME" SONG
GIVING CHILDREN TOOLS FOR GROUP INTERACTIONS

*When children hurt others...*

For many years, I have worked at Fountainhead Montessori School, as a teacher, a site director and nowadays I am an AMS teacher trainer with their FMAE program.

A phrase that we use with the children throughout the day is: "Did you give him/her a message?" or "Did you hear her/his message?"

These are the phrases we use to remind children to speak up to the child who is hurting. (give a message) We go on to suggest words (messages) for the child to say. An example is: "Please don't push me!"

*Teach children how to give effective "messages"*

One of my favorite songs about this topic is Woody Guthrie's "Don't You Push Me." The recording is fun to sing along with. Then, you can sing this song without the recording and  change the words a bit, adding "please," so the children sing,  "Please don't push me, push me, push me. Don't you push me down." 

You can easily incorporate this little song into your drama-demonstration during your Grace & Courtesy Lessons about what to do when someone hurts you.

And, you can substitute other words, such as "don't kick me", or "don't call me names", etc.

Strategy #8. 
FOCUSED LISTENING
TO DEVELOP BETTER COMMUNICATION

An integral part of developing social graces is learning how to listen. Children deserve lots of practice with developing their abilities to listen attentively. And, this practicing is most effective when it takes the form of a game for the children. 

Focused listening activities can take many forms, including an extension of the "Montessori Silence Game." Before going into the silence, you can ask the children to listen for what sounds they hear during the Silence Game. I like to open a window so that children might hear birds singing or the wind blowing!

There are many "What's That Sound" listening games, such as "Mystery Bags" filled with various everyday household items. The children close their eyes while the teacher makes a sound with one of the objects from the bag (ex: shaking keys). Then, the children guess what made the sound. You can vary the objects in the Mystery Bag, for example: using a variety of rhythm instruments. You can even ditch the bag and simply play the game with sounds that you make with the body (ex: coughing, clapping hands, clicking tongue etc.)

"What's That Sound" Games are some of the most effective strategies for helping children sharpen their listening skills.

You'll find complete Montessori lesson plans for these kinds of listening games (& more!) in my Musically Montessori eCourses at Trillium Montessori Courses at this link.

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Strategy #9. 
"WE'RE FOLLOWING THE QUEEN" 
Movement Song
TO DEVELOP COORDINATION & CONSCIENTIOUS MOVEMENT WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT

During my Orff-Schulwerk training for children's music education, I learned a delightful song that works so well in the Preschool classroom. "We're Following the Queen" is a sweet and simple song with a lovely movement component. 

Basically, it is a "Follow the Leader" sort of game. However, the children actually do follow the leader who is walking carefully throughout the environment. The leader becomes "the queen" (or "king") and moves through the classroom while the children follow in a line behind her. (or him) When the queen is leading the line of children, she is modeling to the children how to move carefully and not bumping into furniture or other people!

One group management goal of the Montessori Preschool teacher  is to give the children skill in moving about the environment with grace and respect for others. So, this little movement song works beautifully for that goal.

Here are the words I sing: "We're following the queen. ~ Following, following. ~We're following the queen. ~Wherever she may go!"

The melody is from the song, "Following the Leader" from Peter Pan. You can hear/watch  this scene from the movie at this link:"Youtube". I prefer these lyrics to the ones from the original movie.

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Here is a nice touch: add a crown for the "queen." 

Here is a fun EXTENSION: Later, after the group has had experience following the teacher throughout the classroom, then one of the children can be the "queen" or "king," and the others can follow.

Thank you again for visiting my Blog today. I hope you have been getting some new ideas for your Group Management Strategies with a musical twist!

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