Happy Halloween!
Foster vocal development by playing with spooky and silly Halloween sounds. Hoot like owls, meow like cats, wail like ghosts, “whoosh” like the wind, “boom” like thunder, and cackle like witches. Purposely try to use both high and low, and loud and soft sounds. Vocal play like this is the first step in singing, because it helps voices explore a range of pitches and types of vocal production. Older kids could make up a spooky story and dramatize it with these sounds. Even babies who are just beginning to vocalize can participate in this one with the whole family!
Here are some fun musical ideas for enjoying Halloween with your child:
This song is to the tune of “If You’re Happy And You Know It.”
If you’re a ghost and you know it just say “boo.” Boo!!
If you’re a cat and you know it just say “meow.” Meow!! (Make up verses!)
There are many variations on this popular preschool/elementary rhyme. Be sure to count the five pumpkins on your fingers, and act out the words for maximum dramatic effect!
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late!”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”
The third one said, “But we don’t care!”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run!”
The fifth one said, “Isn’t Halloween fun!”
“Ooooo” went the wind, and out went the light,
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Play this simple game by having a child hide his or her face by turning around backwards, away from the others in the room. On the final phrase of the song, “just like that,” the child jumps around, with a “Jack-o-lantern” (ie. silly, scary, funny, happy, etc.) expression on his face. Any kid that likes making faces will think this is hilarious and it’s great for learning about different emotions. This can be spoken, or if you know solfege, the tune is: dmdmdms, ssslsmdrmrd.
Pumpkin pumpkin round and fat,
Turn into a jack-o-lantern just like that!
Elementary-aged children who enjoy being scared will like this classic, “Skin and Bones.” Sing quietly, building suspense until the end, when everyone shouts “Boo!” Several recordings are available, including one on the “Wee Sing for Halloween” CD and one by the old-time children’s artist Raffi. Each version is slightly different.
There was an old woman all skin and bones, ooooohhhh,
She lived down by the old graveyard, oooohhh,
One night she thought she’d take a walk, oooohhhh,
She saw some bones a-layin’ around, ooohhh,
She went to the closet to get a broom, ooohhh,
She opened the door and…. BOO!
This post brought to you by Miss Joanna!