We've already compiled quite the list of group time songs, and we sing them on repeat. You see, young children thrive on repetition, need repetition. Repeated encounters with songs (also, materials, activities, people..) provides not only a sense of comfort, but opportunities for new discoveries, for mastery of skills, and for deepening understanding.
A former teacher and dear friend recorded some of our songs. Here are a few we've been singing lately:
Play dough has been available to children since we started school. This will not always be, but we have found that it is incredibly helpful for children to have familiar materials during these first few weeks of school. They revel in the satisfaction of knowing what to do when so many things about school are new and challenging. We have provided novelty each week with new additions: different rollers, cutters with or without handles, a second dough color, dough extruders, people and animal figures; each providing new opportunities for exploration and discovery. Children have been likely to connect with each other at the dough table. They are stationary for a time, they can see each other, their space is clearly defined, they are asking for a turn with materials, they are showing off their creations and discoveries, and a few children are so inspired they have been singing a dough-duet each time they are at the table together!
