The children in the Burrow love our ‘Song box’. What is a ‘Song box?’ I hear you say. Well, it is simply an old shoe box that has been decorated by the children. Inside are a collection of objects. Each object links to a particular rhyme or song. The ‘Song box’ is often used during Circle Times when we all sit together. Different children are chosen to open the ‘Song box’. They have to listen carefully to the clues given to work out if it’s their turn. We might say that we’re thinking of someone who is wearing a blue T shirt or someone who has green spotty socks on or someone who’s name begins with ‘d’, ‘d’, ‘d’ ‘Daniel’. The children have to listen and look then try to decide if it is their turn. They get very excited as they open the lid and look inside.

It can take many seconds to choose an object but when selected the object is placed on the lid of the ‘Song box’ and the name of the song or rhyme is announced by the child. The adults take the lead with the singing and the children are encouraged to join in. Singing is important to most children and is one of the ways that adults and very young children communicate emotionally with each other, and is crucial for language development. Songs with actions are often the most valuable to learn at first. Children can join in with actions and make noises e.g. Old MacDonald had a farm and this will lead them to develop the confidence to sing words. Finger rhymes and action songs help toddlers with the rhythms of language and makes talking and listening fun.

Here are some of our favourite songs and rhymes: