Adapt the words for the age of your child.  For example, for babies, the first above should just include the word FEET as you wash their feet.  As your child gets older and can remember more body parts, expand the words to include more detailed words.  Just wait until you hear what they’ll be singing in medical school.

• I’m gonna wash that dirt right outta my hair.
• I’m gonna wash that dirt right outta my hair.
• I’m gonna wash that dirt right outta my hair.
• And send it down the drain.

Play with the words, but also try:

• I’m gonna scrub that foot all over the place…
•      And wash that dirt away. (add body parts)

Enjoying more water play outside with a bucket of water or baby pool.

Water play can also be enjoyed outside with a bucket of water or baby pool.  In our babies Peek-a-boo classes, we used little tubs with just a wee bit of water in the bottom.  The babies were delighted as we used wash cloths and/or sponges to dip in the water and rub or drip on our baby’s skin, naming body parts along with each verse of our song, “Toes, Toes, anything goes. Dip them in the water and wiggle those toes.”

Then we “Blow away the morning dew“, which offers a unique sensation for baby, especially when the rest of their body is NOT in the water.   This wetness is a whole different field of exploration for their sense of touch.   After trying out just one thing at a time, consider providing different types and sizes of cloths, sponges, wash mitts, and other items that soak up water.

The sponges and wash clothes can also be used to soak in the water, then make wet spots  (painting with water) on a piece of an opened paper grocery bag, or cement of a sidewalk or driveway.  Explore how much water is needed on the sponge – try dabbing or sliding it on the surface.  Some children may even enjoy “washing” the car or the house with their washcloth or sponge, which is also a style of painting with water, although it will not result in a clean car :).  Try out new words to fit this situation using the song melodies above. can soak up water – what about paintbrushes?

Parents can keep a steady beat while chanting, “Scrub, Scrub, Scrub (rest) (2x)  I see Lisa scrub, scrub, scrub.” repeatedly while their child is scrubbing.  Make sure to use their name.  When they change their action, change the word.  “Pat, pat, pat…”  “Swish, swish, swish…”  Just label what they are doing, and watch the smiles… and their efforts to show off something new and get recognized.  Parents may need to encourage younger children to try different things.  For example,  “I’m sure you can show me how to bounce the sponge on the ground…  Bounce, Bounce, Bounce…”  then watch to see if they do it on their own, or if they need assistance to make that movement.  There are so many benefits:

• Hearing this steady beat helps them organize their movements in a unique way, regardless of whether they are making a steady beat.
• Your action words gives them the label for what they are doing.
• And your enthusiastic attention reinforces the image of themselves as someone who is very capable, and worthy of watching.  They sure like that !!!

There are many different textures with sponges, most effectively demonstrated by taking a trip to Tarpon Springs, FL, where you can go to the Spongorama Sponge Museum, esp. good for older children.  Some sponges have HARD textures until they get wet, then they are soft.  It is TOTALLY fascinating to explore so many different textures and shapes.  Hands ON exploration is allowed, but supervise carefully to avoid mouth exploration, until taken home and boiled for about 20 min.   I recommend getting three different types of sponges to purchase and explore at home.

 

Making Footprints

Consider making wet footprints on the paper, on the driveway, or try different surfaces.  Draw a chalk line around the footprint and check them over time to watch them disappear.  It may be surprising how quickly that happens.  Older children may enjoy this chant while making footprints:

“Walk, walk and never stop until your wet feet don’t flip flop.” (make footprints)

Then change the way the footprints are made, what does a run look like?  how about two feet jumping?  I’m sure you and your child can come up with more.

More Water Activities and Toy ideas

• Soak and Squeeze: sponges, washcloths, etc.
• Fill & Pour: using cups, spoons, ladle, funnels, tubes, watering can, sieve, sifter
• Fill & Spray / Squirt: using squirty fish, spray bottles, etc.
• Float: ping pong balls, corks, boats, ICE
• Sink: rubber balls, plastic characters
• Mix:  bowl & spoon; egg beater for older children
• Suck:  eye dropper, meat baster
• Blow: straw, tubes

 Songs:  Piggy Back, and New

Some of the songs on this page refer to Kindermusik songs in our different curricula.  Many of these songs are actually what are called piggy back songs, because new words are piggy backed onto familiar children’s melodies.  I had fun making these up as I played with my children in the bath, so don’t get too caught up in the actual words.  Feel free to play around with the words to match the actions of your child.  It doesn’t even really have to rhyme !

One of the things I liked best about Kindermusik as a young mom, is that I learned new songs and melodies.  I had grown quite tired of the songs I already knew… and I already knew a LOT.  So I was thrilled to learn the new songs and activity ideas from our Kindermusik experiences – songs that really worked into the daily routines, and fit most every situation.  That is one of the reasons I have loved teaching over the last 14 years…  I know songs for almost every topic of everyday life, and I LOVE to share them with families, along with how beneficial it can be for our children.

This Summer and Fall’s themes include a lot of water themed play in several of our classes.  Beach Days for families, of course is filled with imaginative water play.    Our Time “Wiggles and Giggles” includes the bath time book “Pete and PJ” and a lot of fun water themes, such as bath time, boats, fish and more.   Imagine That for preschoolers features “See What I Saw” about the many activities that can be enjoyed at a city park, including watching the different types of boats on the water.  Even the older Young Child students use instruments as sound effects for our storm stories.   It is the easiest way to learn new music and fun new ways to engage your child – so let’s play together in Kindermusik !

Safety considerations:

• Adult supervision is critical when playing with water because it is so easy for water to prevent a child from breathing, and they do not know how to react to stop it.
• Please be careful not to place a dripping wet washcloth fully over the baby’s face, as this can be scary and make it hard for them to breath (or they might THINK it does, and hold their breath).  I learned that the hard way with my first child and he was scared of water for a long time.
• Also, sponges are EXCELLENT texture toys for the bath, but please keep in mind that playing with these items babies must be supervised, as many babies can “bite” off a piece, causing a choking hazard.
• Make sure to throw the wash cloths, mitts, and sponges into the next load of hot washed clothes to prevent bacteria from growing and spreading to your child.
• Dump out any standing water outside regularly so it does not become a breading ground for mosquitoes or bacteria.

 

Have a wet and wonderful time.   AND PLEASE SHARE if you have ideas for water play with your baby or young child.

– Debbie Mondale – Music Connections in Lakeland and Winter Haven Florida.