Jingle Bell Songs that Bring Joy and Kindness!

For those new to my blog, I’m an advocate for early childhood education because the human brain develops the most from 0-6 years old. Whatever children experience during this window of time makes a huge impact on their lives. At the same time, I know life (and the world) happens, and we can’t always protect our children from everything. That’s okay! There are still going to be so many opportunities to help our kids. The more we care for them throughout their entire development, the more they’ll be able to care for their children- and for our world! 

(I also want to say at this time that I am a genuine person and not AI. This blog is older than AI, and so am I! [Insert plug for reading my past articles here]. Also I can write good too- haha funny, actually not funny in a horrible, soul crushing way).

I start my blog like this today because I want to address again the impact of stress on families during the holiday season- as a human, parent, and teacher who has experienced this phenomenon many times now. We all want our little ones to experience the magic and joy of the season, but no matter how much support or resources you may have, the “perfect” holiday doesn’t really exist for anyone. 

The added pressure of bringing joy during the holidays may push us past our limits at times. This pressure is added on to the additional stresses we feel with the colder weather and shorter hours of daylight- and possibly more sugary treats and less playtime for your little ones outdoors. The result is everyone ends up cranky! You are not the only one.

So- what can we do about this? Try singing! By using your familiar voice rhymically, your little ones will already have an ear just for you! (Teachers- that sing-song voice you use gets the attention of your young students)! In addition, with its required deeper breathing, science has shown that when we sing, our own stress hormones decrease. If we can sing while our little ones interact with the music by “attuned” listening, with movement, and their own increasing ability to sing, it’s a win-win and everybody will calm down.

It’s likely that this increased stress brought about all of our traditional songs we sing around the holidays. “Ring-a-ting-a-ling” and “Ring Your Bells for Kindness” are new ones I wrote to add to this well of peaceful resources for your family. They are designed to be easy to sing. The bright sound of a jingle bell will also add to changing the mood to one of levity around your house. (Pro tip- make your own jingle bell like the one here with ONE jingle bell attached. That way the sound won’t become too loud and annoying).

1. "Ring-a-ting-a-ling" by Margot Bevington © 2024

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Jingle bell ring

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

We ring and sing

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Kindness and care

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Love everywhere

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Magic and fun

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

For everyone

Ring-a-ting-a-ling (4x)

1. "Ring Your Bells for Kindness" by Margot Bevington © 2024

Hear the bells' joyful ring

Ring them while we sing

Jingle bells, fill the air

We bring joy to share

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

It’s our wish to be kind

With our heart and mind

With our song, We bring fun

Love for everyone

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

For all those who might need

Caring friends today

We’ll let love take the lead

As we sing and play

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

If you are new to my Blog, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, please follow, like, and subscribe! I’m revamping all of my resources so would love to connect with you! I also have a new website- Msmargotsmusic.com! Check it out to listen to and purchase my albums or book me to teach, perform, or lead a workshop for teachers!

Keeping Kids Moving in the Winter

Hi there! Today I wanted to talk a bit about a predicament we caregivers and our young children can easily find ourselves in on a cold day- we're inside most of the day, and let's face it, we get a little stir crazy. I've talked before on my blog about things you can do to help keep everyone occupied and in a good mood- try a change of scene, an indoor play place, music, children's media you both enjoy. Today I'd like to focus on movement.

Getting those kiddos to move and release that pent up energy can be beneficial in so many ways. It's recommended that kids get at least an hour of physical activity daily (CDC). This movement can prevent serious illness, increase children's ability to focus, and promote better moods. The department of Health and Human Services also released a new "Move Your Way" campaign that helps people incorporate daily tasks into part of their physical activity. (Special plug for my sister Francie who helped manage the promotion of this campaign). No matter how you decide to get your family moving, keep in mind all the benefits for the parenting or caregiving win!

I've been including more of my YouTube videos on my blog lately because I'd like to create context for them- explain a bit why you might want to check them out. My video this week is one you can move to. It's to that familiar tune from the song "Wild Thing," and hopefully it'll get everyone moving and releasing some of that wildness- in a way that hopefully won't make a huge mess or destroy your house. Your welcome!!

"Little Bird, Go Through My Window"

In January, it can be difficult to summon the spirit to sing. The holidays are over, the weather is dreary, and people might not be feeling 100%. To liven things up a bit, I've focused on singing about birds of all things. Birdwatching in winter is one of my favorite things to do, and children can easily take part-  filling or even making bird feeders or houses. Birds like cardinals and blue jays are easy to spot, and it's exciting to see nature come alive when the birds accept the gifts of food and shelter that you offer them.

I use a song called "Little Bird." Watch it in full below. I discovered the way I do it is different (I learned it differently), than the traditional "Little Bird, Go Through My Window." I also pair this song with a singing game called "Go in and Out the Window." In it, children stand in a circle and hold hands, then lift their arms up to make an arch under which a child can weave in and out.

Whether you use the song as part of a winter music class, or for early language learning, try to pair it with some nature exploration as well. If you don't have the opportunity to make a bird house or feeder, and either bird watch or listen for bird songs, ask children to share their experience if they have done this before. If they haven't tried observing birds, perhaps you can spark an interest! Happy singing and bird watching!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all you blog readers! As you know, early language learning is a topic I write about quite a bit. Today I'll write a bit about an easy song you can use around New Year's for early language learning in 3 languages!

I've used this song for many years on the first day back from holiday break teaching my younger students. It's great because it's to the tune of "Happy Birthday," but instead you substitute, "Happy New Year." A short way to say "Happy New Year" in Spanish is "Feliz Año," which also fits nicely with the rhythm of the song. Check out my video below to see how I use English, ASL, and Spanish to do this simple adaptation!

The first day back to school after break can be a tough one for all involved. That's why a simple song such as this can be a great way to lift spirits, and transition nicely back to classroom routines. Whether you sing the song at school or at home, it's a fun way to ring in the new year! 

Counting- V

The leaves are starting to change color here in Maryland- creating a beautiful context in which children can learn. Seasons are a wonderful way to draw from children's awareness of their surroundings to make learning abstract concepts like numbers more relevant. Here are a couple of autumn number songs- one you'll probably know- "5 Little Pumpkins," and one maybe not- "5 Little Leaves."

"5 Little Pumpkins"
5 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 I don't care!"
The fourth one said, "Let's run! Let's run!"
The fifth one said, "It's just Halloween fun!"
Then, "OOOooooooo," went the wind, and out went the light
And 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

"5 Little Leaves"
5 little leaves, dancing in the tree
5 little leaves, happy as can be!
Along came the wind-
"OOoooooooooo!"
1 leaf came tumbling down.
4 little leaves, dancing in the tree...
(Repeat until you get to- "No little leaves," - I usually do that verse in a whisper).

In these videos, you'll find slight variations on the words above- the way I do these songs. I also do both songs as a chant, except for "'OOoooooooo!' 1 leaf came tumbling down," for which I sing a little minor-sounding melody. I like the way the videos demonstrate movements to do with the songs. I also use a felt board with 5 pumpkins and leaves so children can have a visual way to keep track of the quantity. Stay tuned for next time- I'll have more autumn songs for you- making this the last number song article (for now). Happy autumn!

Counting- IV

Well, I just got back from a music trip out west, (flew there and back in one day!) and I'm feeling fine (relatively)!! So, today I'm going to write about a number song called Dr. Knickerbocker. Here is the way I've done this song with kids:

Dr. Knickerbocker, Knickerbocker, number nine
I just got back and I'm feeling fine.
Let's put the rhythm in our ________.*
*Repeat until you "put the rhythm" in your hands (clap), shoulders (alternate shoulders up and down),  feet (walk in place to the beat), head (nod), and hips (shift hips right and left).

I've always said the words as a rhythmic chant, and kept the movement going until it changes to a different body part. The words were fun to say and made pretty much no sense at all- kids loved to move and say the words! Sometimes children asked- who is Dr. Knickerbocker? I had no clear answer.

After some searching I found out that Knickerbockers are a type of colonial style pants worn just over the knee, and a man wearing this style of pants (Mr. Knickerbocker) was a symbol of New York- (a la the New York Knicks baseball team). And apparently there were nine original New York Knickerbockers (later shortened to Knicks).

Maybe "getting back" means getting back to home plate? I'm still unsure how "Mr. Knickerbocker" got changed to "Dr. Knickerbocker," but the point is- this is a fun song with lots of movement AND there's more!!!

I just discovered that you can practice counting to the number nine with this song, and that is extra exciting because that makes it a great activity for getting those kids with a lot of energy to focus and count with you. To do this, you "put the rhythm" in the "number nine" itself. Here are two examples of this- one from the Wiggles and one from Alina Celeste.

Here is also a new one by Liz Buchanan that is a counting backwards from 9 song.

More fun with number songs next week!