The Power of Repeat-After-Me Songs

Outcome: By the end of this lesson, educators will have a better understanding of why repeat-after-me songs are great tools to foster engagement and participation when working in an inclusive setting.

Lesson Length : 10 minutes

Introduction

Visit any summer camp program and you will undoubtedly find yourself singing at least a few repeat-after-me songs. Repeat-after-me songs done well can engage preschoolers all the way up to adults and can be especially helpful to use when. facilitating inclusive play experiences.

Instructions:

  1. Watch the video of Julian leading Little Red Wagon.
  2. Watch the video of counselor Leiney leading a song. 
  3. Answer Pause & Reflect Questions
  4. Read Let’s break it down.
  5. Learn some repeat-after-me songs

Activity Part I

Watch Julian sing Little Red Wagon

Pause and Reflect:

  1. What did you first notice? What changed in your thinking as you kept watching?  
  2. As the song went on, are you able to better understand Julian?
  3. Did the other kids know what Julian was saying?  How can you tell?
  4. The two younger girls aren’t singing along. Are they still participating?
  5. What do you think the camp counselors did before this video to facilitate the play between these three kids?
  6. Why do you think repeat-after-me songs are great tools for fostering inclusion?

Activity Part II

Listen to Leiney lead a repeat after-me song at circle time

Pause & Reflect

  1. How is Leiney leading this song to increase the participation of kids in this group? 
  2. How are the counselors helping enhance this experience for the group?

Let’s break it down

Repeat-after-me songs create a safe environment for all to participate and are especially great when working with kids with a variety of communication styles, physical abilities, interests, attention spans, and so much more.  

Repeat-after-me songs are

Silly, goofy and get everyone laughing.

This light-hearted energy can be the key to getting participants to open up, let go of notions of how something “should” look or sound and can be great for breaking the ice with a group of people that don’t know each other very well.

 

  Repeat-after-me songs by their nature have many different entry points and ways to participate. For example, kids (or adults) can sing the lyrics, help come up with the verses, do the hand motions, come up with hand motions or kids can simply watch the performance of their peers.

Are adaptable.

You can change how you are singing a song to be fast or slow, loud, or quiet. This is especially helpful as you are working in an inclusive environment where you have children that may be sensory seeking and prefer the loud and fast versions or you may have a child that is sensory-avoidant who may prefer the quieter version or the version with no clapping.

Get kids moving with large gross motor actions

like clapping and big gestures. These motions are often more accessible to a wider range of ages and to children with disabilities that may limit fine motor skills.

Do not rely on memorization

In repeat-after-me songs, you (and the kids) don’t have to rely on memorization of lyrics- this is easier for everyone

Many Different Entry Points

Repeat-after-me songs by their nature have many different entry points and ways to participate. For example, kids (or adults) can sing the lyrics, help come up with the verses, do the hand motions, come up with hand motions or kids can simply watch the performance of their peers.

Common Repeat-After-Me Songs:

  • The Other Day I Met a Bear
  • The Hippo Song
  • There Was a Great Big Moose
  • Boom-Chicka-Boom
  • Bazooka Bubble Gum
  • Down By the Bay- this song is great to get participation from kids because you can ask them for more riddles and to think of things that rhyme.
  • Flee Fly Flo
  • Hey Hey Bodidly Bop great for older kids because you can add in references to pop culture or have the teens make up their own verses.
  • You Can’t Ride in My Little Red Wagon.

TIP

You can find lyrics and video demonstrations of people singing all of these songs with a simple google search and a little time on youtube. 

BACK TO ALL LESSONS