COVID Creativity: Singing Alternatives

In these days of COVID teaching, it’s hard to come up with ways to let kids be kids during their critical early childhood years. We know that kids learn through doing, and that songs and rhymes can help to solidify learning of things like counting and the ABCs. Restrictions on social distance and singing, in particular, have put a damper on the FUN (and learning) of circle times throughout the world.

Time to get super creative - with any energy you have left after prep, screen time and in-person precautions .... :) 

What about whisper singing through masks ... it’s fun and silly to whisper, but should keep a lid on the projection of air. Kiddos can whisper and/or mouth and act out songs, while keeping their distance, and enjoy the experience whether at home or in front of the teacher. Whisper the “Days of the Week” song, or silly face mouth your way through the “Month Macarena” - it’s all good!

For a different experience, try percussion accompaniment ... Cut up some pool noodles or recycle your cardboard paper towel rolls to make drumsticks, for drumming along with songs while mouthing the words ... the more elaborate the “game,” the more it will stick in their minds ... and probably get some giggles going! Imagine “We Can Count to 100” using drumsticks - first 10 to the right, teens in the middle, twenties to the left, etc. 

Teachers who like to use songs for mini-breaks, rethink a way to add motion without voice projection. Kids still need to “shake it out,” wherever they are learning. If possible, weather permitting, try taking your circle time or break time outdoors. Spread out and belt out a few songs, then run it off before buckling back down. 

Have fun while learning :) 💙

Note: photo is pre-COVID :)

Spreading Joy, not Germs, in Your Early Childhood Classroom

A peek into any early childhood classroom should give you a snapshot of joy and exploration. These days, with precautions against infection in the time of Covid-19, things are surely different ... but the joy and exploration can continue, with a lot of creativity and flexibility :)

Circle time looks different - we can't be sitting close together in a circle on the rug and giving high fives and cuddles .... but we can have the same community feeling and fun with some small adjustments! 

If you are in-person -

• Incorporate alternate seating in the form of a wipe-off seat cushion or individual beach towel. Spread your friends out in a larger circle or other formation.
• Start your day outdoors, if weather permits, with the same seating options.
• Continue to get your littles up and moving, wherever they are, with motion-based activities to keep them on task.

Whether you're in-person or remote, greet each other using some innovation - “throw” a pretend ball (complete with some great sound effects) from one to another, calling their name, to greet around the circle. Give long distance high fives as air-fives or, in-person, use yard sticks with foam hands on the ends to pass around. (Follow with a squirt!)

Sharing is sometimes easier when your friends aren't "on the spot" - let them choose (or make) a full-sized or finger puppet to be their sharing tool, and then they can keep that puppet for the week in a cubby or other secure spot. Trade them in on the weekend for "puppet quarantine." Watch the joy as they start to open up!

In person, share the pen during circle or message time by just tweaking the procedure - a quick wipe down by the teacher between uses lets friends all participate and collaborate. Keep some disposable gloves and wipes available at your easel station and you won't end up with sore hands. 

Authentic interactions can still take place, even through plexiglass partitions or screens when all are playing/working with separate toys/materials. Encourage students to display what they are working on and have a "question wand" to get it going. Glue a BIG, bright question mark on a dowel/stick and use it to tap someone on the shoulder. They will look around and ask a friend a question (or two) about what they are working on. Once this gets to be a regular thing, you can fade the wand or use for special occasions. (Adapt for remote screen use.)

Remember, these young friends don't have pre-conceived ideas of what school is - so make it joyful, interactive, and full of exploration - just like every other year!

Good luck :) and have fun!!