Tickles, Giggles, and Bouncy Rhymes

It's a joyful day when you hear your child laugh for the first time. Once you hear it, you want to hear it over and over. And then the quest is on, to find what else will make her laugh.

Emily loves bouncy rides. One of my favorites is to the tune of "The Mulberry Bush." I put her on my lap and gently bounce.
"This is the way the baby rides,
Baby rides, baby rides
This the way the baby rides
Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy."

Sometimes it's surprising what will make her laugh. I also do "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as a bouncy rhyme and she thinks it's ridiculously funny. (Who would have thought?!)

A new one she likes is a tickle rhyme~
"There once was a bumblebee under the barn
(circle finger in air closer and closer to baby)
carrying dinner under his arm
and when he got there he went "Bzzzzzz!" (tickle baby)

Bouncy and tickle rhymes are great ways to have some together time when we are sitting on the porch enjoying the weather or when she is tired of playing with toys and wants to be held. I like variety, so when I was on my quest to find more lap games, I discovered this CD.

'Round and 'Round the Garden: Music in My First Year! is one of several collections by John M. Feierabend and Luann Saunders. It has over 60 rhymes and songs for playing with baby. According to the insert, they have been collected "from the memories of our parents and grandparents, in hopes that these treasures will be preserved for future generations." In addition to bouncy and tickle rhymes, there are "wiggles" (done while wiggling baby's toes or fingers), tapping and clapping songs, and lullabies. While your voice is the most exciting to baby, having a CD is a great way to learn the words and melodies. Or you can have laptime and play along with the CD. I was reminded of some old classics and found some new favorites.

How do you make your little one laugh? Any lap games to share?

This is the Way We Sing Our Song

    “Children learn by repetition. Infants and young children have the most active brains. The more stimulation they receive from their environment--what they see, hear, touch, taste, and smell--the more connections are made between brain cells.... It is repetition that keeps these connections between brain cells and makes them strong. So at home or in the car, do these rhymes and songs over and over again.”                     -Saroj Ghoting, early literacy expert

I am a terrible singer. I forget lyrics, I don't have a good memory or voice for music. I hope that my daughter picks up her father's musicality, not mine. But the thing is, kids don't care. They love the sound of music and singing.

One of the things I do with my daughter every day is sing. It's often the same song(s), but that's okay. Children thrive on repetition.

Here is one of our favorites.
(Head and Shoulders)
"Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Knees and Toes and
Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Knees and Toes"

I touch or tickle the parts of her body as I sing it. At 6 months, she stills gets so excited when we sing this song. I know she recognizes it. This simple song will grow with us. Right now it is a fun way to bond. As she learns words and then coordination, she will be proud to be able to do it herself.  This is also great fun with a group of children. Have them try to do this as fast as possible. They love it!

Another of our daily songs is
This is the Way We... (fill in the blank.)
To the tune of "Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush."
"This is the way we [wash our ears]
[Wash our ears, wash our ears]
This is the way we [wash our ears]
So early in the morning [or evening, or late in afternoon]"

I've adapted this to practically every situation possible from changing diapers or clothes to bath time. It's very versatile.The repetition of the melody and many of the words helps with language development. It also works to quiet a fussy baby.

So no matter what kind of voice you have, sing a song with your kids today. Be silly about it, make up words, sing the same songs over and again. Put on a CD or ask them to sing to you. And if you think you don't know any songs, you can always try "This is the way we sing our song..."

Do you have any songs to share?