We've done several preschool dance parties, and last month's focused on world music.
As children were entering, we played:
"Hello Hello" by Mose Fan Fan (Congo) from African Playground (Putumayo Kids, 2003).
Then we opened with They Might be Giants: "Alphabet of Nations" from Here Come the ABC's (Disney Sound, 2005). This song works on the alphabet as well as introducing names of many countries. The video shows pictures of children from around the world.
The rest of the playlist included:
“Mexican Handclapping Song” by Ella Jenkins, from Multi-cultural Children's Songs (Smithsonian Folkways, 1995).
"La Mariposa = The Butterfly" by Colibri from World Playground (Putumayo Kids, 1999). We danced with shakers to this one.
"No More Monkeys" by Asheba (Trinidad) from Animal Playground (Putumayo World Music, 2007). This is the familiar "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" with a Caribbean flavor and fun twist at the end.
After all that jumping around, we sat down and swayed to "African Alphabet" (Miss Mickie's favorite!) with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kermit the Frog on Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (Sony Wonder, 2003).
As children were entering, we played:
"Hello Hello" by Mose Fan Fan (Congo) from African Playground (Putumayo Kids, 2003).
Then we opened with They Might be Giants: "Alphabet of Nations" from Here Come the ABC's (Disney Sound, 2005). This song works on the alphabet as well as introducing names of many countries. The video shows pictures of children from around the world.
The rest of the playlist included:
“Mexican Handclapping Song” by Ella Jenkins, from Multi-cultural Children's Songs (Smithsonian Folkways, 1995).
"La Mariposa = The Butterfly" by Colibri from World Playground (Putumayo Kids, 1999). We danced with shakers to this one.
"No More Monkeys" by Asheba (Trinidad) from Animal Playground (Putumayo World Music, 2007). This is the familiar "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" with a Caribbean flavor and fun twist at the end.
After all that jumping around, we sat down and swayed to "African Alphabet" (Miss Mickie's favorite!) with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kermit the Frog on Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music (Sony Wonder, 2003).
"West Indian Counting Song" on Dan Zanes House Party (Festival Five Records, 2003) offered more opportunities for clapping and counting.
"Three Little Birds" by Cedella Marley Booker & Taj Mahal from World Playground. We put hula hoops on floor for bird nests, and when the music stopped, the children had to fly back to their nests.
"Battu" by Angelique Kidjo (Benin) from African Playground - with drums!
"What a Wonderful World" by Playing for Change. Children danced with scarves, making a big circle on "world." What a wonderful way to end!
"Three Little Birds" by Cedella Marley Booker & Taj Mahal from World Playground. We put hula hoops on floor for bird nests, and when the music stopped, the children had to fly back to their nests.
"Battu" by Angelique Kidjo (Benin) from African Playground - with drums!
"What a Wonderful World" by Playing for Change. Children danced with scarves, making a big circle on "world." What a wonderful way to end!