I’ve been doing this variation of the traditional spiritual (Dem
Bones) for many years, and it’s always a favorite!
Why this song works and should be in everyone's song bag of
tricks: It’s simple, so anyone can sing it It’s based on a familiar melody ( research tells us we all learn
best by attaching new information to something familiar It has a strong beat, which makes it irresistible
Keeping a steady beat by slapping hands on thighs makes
children
focus It’s adaptable: Use with or without pictures, sing in the car
and
have kids take turns naming their favorite dinosaurs It has a topic children are timelessly drawn to- dinosaurs! It employs the element of surprise, as children don’t know what
dinosaur will be next This song sparks creativity: the more you sing it, children will
have their own ideas for
modifications It’s just plain fun- and singing should be fun!
NOTE: The “Hands up!” you hear me say after each verse on the
recording is a little trick I came up with many years that
always works to get kids’ attention. When kids want to stop and
talk about each dinosaur, you can stop the song, and let them
(great for building narrative skills). When you want to get them
back into the song, just say, “Hands up!” and they magically put
their hands up and are ready to resume the song. Try it- it
really works!
Ideas for
using this song: Simply sing this song, keeping a steady beat by slapping hands
on thighs Hold up pictures to match the dinosaurs in the song download
here (but keep slapping thighs!) Use your favorite dinosaur picture book, adding verses to the
song as you go. Visit the library and check out a new dinosaur book to use! Older children can draw their own dinosaur pictures, give them
names, and then sing about them
Dem Dinosaur Bones
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dinosaur bones
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dinosaur bones
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dinosaur bones
Put’em all together and this is what you get
(hold up a picture of a dinosaur (on the
PRINTABLE LYRICS)
and have kids name it, or use without pictures)
January
2017 Song of the Month
It’s simple, so anyone can sing it