Christmas is such a magical and sparkly time for little ones that we can be tempted to just throw in all the glitz and glam we can find! Or we can be tempted to buy into the merch of the latest hit blockbuster. But when we think about continuity, holding more and more Christmases for more and more children, the longer we are involved in childcare, the sooner special traditions can start to feel more like the same old routines. Our own excitement as parents and educators is such an important factor to consider because of the way that children read body language and see behind our words. Staying excited about new experiences is one major reason to consider planning Christmas using themes. This articles explores the theme of the Winter Wonderland.
Winter Wonderland
A very well-known, well-used title, this theme focuses on nature at winter time. This can obviously be different in different countries (could be an idea for a future Christmas celebration theme), but the songs below celebrate Christmas traditionally described in the northern hemisphere, with the cold and snow.
If you are lucky enough to be guaranteed snow, sensory snow play is a wonderful opportunity to give all children, not knowing how the weather may be embraced at home. Giving children time to explore nature at all is a gift that many parents may not have the luxury of sharing.
These three songs about snow are great opportunities to explore the properties of snow by using similar items. Props like white scarves could be used for everything from building snowmen to screwed up snowballs. White tissues can be gently floated down as snowflakes – and later, screwed-up as snowballs (before they get put in the bin!). Blowing hundreds of bubbles is another lovely way to work on breath control and then later, fine motor co-ordination and holding things gently, as you gently push them together to become a snowman – or Santa’s beard!
I’m A Little Snowman (Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little snowman, short and fat,
Here is my broomstick, here is my hat.
When the sun comes out, I can’t stay —
I just slowly melt away!
I’m a little snowman, round and white,
I love to sparkle in the night.
When the morning sun I see,
Down, down, down goes me!
This is a great songs for physical actions:
“Short and fat” – stretch arms out wide.
“Here is my broomstick” – pretend to hold a broom.
“Here is my hat” – pat the top of your head.
“When the sun comes out” – raise arms in a big circle for the sun.
“Melt away” – slowly crouch or sink down to the floor.
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul
* Big smiles! Pat your round tummy or trace a big circle in the air (his body).
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
* Pretend to puff a little pipe, then tap your nose.
And two eyes made out of coal
* Point to your eyes, make big circles with your hands.
Frosty the snowman is a fairytale they say
* Wave hands like you’re telling a magical story.
He was made of snow but the children know
* Pretend to scoop and pat snow into shape.
How he came to life one day
* Open arms wide and “come to life” with a big happy stretch!
There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found
* Pretend to pick up a hat and put it on your head.
For when they placed it on his head, he began to dance around
* Pop the hat on dramatically and start dancing or twirling!
For Frosty the Snowman was alive as he could be
* March proudly like Frosty.
And the children say he could laugh and play just the same as you and me
* Hold hands in a circle and dance, or clap along together.
Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, look at Frosty go
* Pat your knees or stomp to the beat — “thumpety thump thump!”
Thumpety thump thump, thumpety thump thump, over the hills of snow
Pretend to march or climb over snowy hills, waving goodbye.
Five Little Snowflakes White (Tune: “Five Little Speckled Frogs”)
Five little snowflakes white, fell from the sky so bright
Twirling and blowing to and fro
One landed on my hand, melted before it planned
Now there are four snowflakes that fall
Four little snowflakes white, fell from the sky so bright
Twirling and blowing to and fro
One landed on my hand, melted before it planned
Now there are three snowflakes that fall
Three little snowflakes white, fell from the sky so bright
Twirling and blowing to and fro
One landed on my hand, melted before it planned
Now there are two snowflakes that fall
Two little snowflakes white, fell from the sky so bright
Twirling and blowing to and fro
One landed on my hand, melted before it planned
Now there is one snowflake that falls
One little snowflake white, fell from the sky so bright
Twirling and blowing to and fro
One landed on my hand, melted before it planned
Now there are no snowflakes that fall
Actions for this lovely number song could include:
- “Five / Four” etc – show number with fingers
- “little snowflakes white” – flutter hands down slowly like falling snow.
- “Twirling and blowing” – twirl and sway.
- “One landed on my hand” – point at your hand.
- “Melted before it planned” – crouch down slowly.
- “Four/ Three” etc – show number with fingers
Winter Wonderland is a lovely theme that embraces many children’s tales. From Frozen to Wicked, there is a lot of material that children will relate to, that could be used in different ways that help them to make sense of the season. And what better way to bring it all together in celebration than by using music, together!