LESSON 8: Simple Songs with Actions
Lesson Focus: Voice–Movement Coordination
Age Group: 2-3 years old
Duration: 30 minutes
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

   1. Remember: Highlight and cue recall of simple song lines and key words.
   2. Understand: Link words/phrases to clear actions or gestures.
   3. Apply: Guide coordinated voice with simple movements on steady cues.

MATERIALS:

   1. Picture cue cards for action words: clap, tap, wave, stomp, sleep, wake (large, high-
   contrast).
   2. Song choice cards (icons only): “Hello Song,” “Clap-Hands Song,” “Wave and
   Stomp,” “Goodbye Song.”
   3. Simple lyric strips (very short phrases, large print) to support adult memory.
   4. Beat cue: small drum or hand clap; soft chime/bell for stop.
   5. Visual tempo bar (icons: tortoise = slow, child = steady) for pacing.
   6. Optional props: small scarves (wave), soft toy (sleep/wake cue).
   7. Floor spots or tape for semicircle boundary.
 

LESSON PROCEDURES:

1) Welcome and Settle (2 minutes)
- Greet in a warm, medium voice.
- Show the “Hello Song” card and the wave icon.
- State the focus: “Sing short words and move together.”

2) Breath and Beat Warm-Up (3 minutes)
- Lead two slow breaths: “Smell the flower… blow the candle.”
- Set a gentle beat with four slow claps: “1-2-3-4.”
- Hum a quiet “mmm” on the beat for one bar; chime to stop.

3) Introduce Action Icons (3 minutes)

- Show cards: clap, wave, stomp, sleep.
- Name each clearly while modelling the action silently first, then with a single soft cue word
(e.g., “Clap,” “Wave”).
- Place cards at eye level where visible.

4) Teach Song 1: Hello + Wave (4 minutes)
- Hold the Hello Song card and wave icon together.
- Count in “1-2-3-4,” then model the line: “Hello, hello, hello,” with a simple wave on each
“hello.”
- Invite one echo of the line; chime to stop.
- Repeat once with a steady beat; point to the tortoise/child tempo icon for pacing.

5) Teach Song 2: Clap-Hands (4 minutes)
- Show the clap icon and the Clap-Hands Song card.
- Tap four-beat count-in; model: “Clap, clap, clap your hands.”
- Invite one echo; chime to stop.
- Repeat once; keep claps small and safe.

6) Teach Song 3: Wave and Stomp (4 minutes)
- Display wave and stomp icons side by side.
- Cue tempo: point to steady tempo icon.
- Model line 1: “Wave, wave, wave hello.” Chime to reset.
- Model line 2: “Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet.” Chime to reset.
- Alternate lines once more, using drum for “ready/your turn.”

7) Action Switch Game (4 minutes)

- Arrange three icons visible (wave, clap, stomp).
- Point to one icon; count “1-2-3-4” and sing the matching short line once.
- Switch icons and repeat; insert brief silence between switches.
- If helpful, lower to tortoise tempo for clarity.

8) Optional Calm Moment: Sleep/Wake (3 minutes)
- Show sleep icon (or soft toy); soften voice.
- Model: “Sleep, sleep, sleep now,” with a small head-rest gesture.
- Chime to pause; show wake icon.
- Model: “Wake, wake, wake up,” with a gentle stretch gesture.
- Keep movements slow and voices soft.

9) Goodbye Song and Cool-Down (3 minutes)
- Show the Goodbye Song card and wave icon.
- Count in softly and model: “Goodbye, goodbye, see you soon,” with a gentle wave.
- Lead two calm breaths; end with a quiet “thank you.”

ASSESSMENT
- Present one action icon and model the matching lyric; note recognition of the link (word →
action).
- Offer short, steady count-ins and note coordinated vocal starts and stops.
- Alternate between two icons (e.g., wave ↔ clap) and note responsiveness to cue changes
and tempo.

REMARKS
- Inclusion and Developmental Fit (2–3s, ESL):

- Keep lyrics very short; pair every word with a clear action and visual icon.
- Use consistent gestures; maintain high-contrast visuals at eye level.
- Accept nonverbal participation (gestures, humming).
- Classroom Management:
- Establish cues: drum = “ready/your turn,” chime = “stop,” hand to ear = “listen.”
- Keep sequences brief (one line at a time); insert frequent neutral pauses.
- Voice and Movement Safety:
- Use steady, moderate tempo; avoid fast or large movements.
- Direct voice toward the back wall; keep volume moderate; offer water if needed.
- Differentiation:
- If needed, reduce to one or two actions per song (e.g., only wave).
- For confident groups, layer two-beat patterns (wave on beats 1–2, clap on 3–4).
- Environment:
- Seat in a semicircle; ensure clear sightlines to icons.
- Keep props organised; sanitise shared items after use.