Using Songs & Rhymes
Want to know another fun and easy strategy to help build your early communicator’s language skills? Using songs and rhymes is a favourite strategy in the Elemenoe clinic!
Some of our favourite songs:
Mr Sun
5 Little Monkeys
Wheels on the Bus
Itsy Bitsy Spider
To make this an even more effective language strategy, turn your song into a play chain with these steps!
Start with your child’s favourite song (e.g., Mr. Sun)
Encourage your child to come sit with you (e.g., on your lap facing you, or sitting on the floor in front of you)
Start singing the song and add in some easy actions that they can copy!
Once you’ve sung the song one time, start singing again and PAUSE before one of the words in the song. For example, “Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. golden …” and WAIT!
See if your child will fill in the missing word! If your child is an early communicator who does not yet use words, you can wait for a communicative response before singing the rest of the song. If they look up to you, complete the action (e.g., arms together over head to show “sun”), or make a sound, start singing again! Reinforce their efforts by adding a gentle tickle.
Your child will learn their “role” in the play chain which involves filling in your missing words!
Repeat the song 2-3 times!
For more examples of using songs and play chains, check out our Instagram reels @elemenoe and sing along with us!
