Learning how to write can be stressful for some children. Sometimes they feel frustrated that they cannot make a letter, write their name, or write numbers. In teaching children how to write, one of the tactics I use to help them gain confidence is by creating an activity, combining writing and drawing, where we turn letters and numbers into a picture. By doing this it not only makes letters and numbers fun, it allows them to remember the way they look, as they continue to practice their writing skills.
One of the great things about singing time is building a sense of community with one another. Often during singing/music time there is a feeling that adults automatically get that the children NEED to sing along and participate. Some children will immediately engage in singing but others take their time to adjust and feel comfortable. One of the ways children still show they are engaged and a part of the group is by making eye-contact with the leader (i.e. the teacher), participating in gesture movements, and showing through facial expressions how they feel. I have created this interactive video to allow children to participate in singing in whatever way they feel comfortable. Sometimes children just like to sit and watch, absorb what is happening, and chime in when ready. I have noticed that even when children sit and watch, hearing the songs help them to check-in with themselves in the moment, both their bodies and their emotions, allowing them to take a breath and collect themselves.
Why is rhyming important? 1) It teaches children how language works and helps them notice words and work with sounds within words. 2) Gives the experience of rhythm of language, allowing them to learn how to speak in an animated voice. 3) Can help with writing by helping children understand words that share common sounds often share common letters (e.g. "bat" and "cat" both share "at") 4) Adds to the joy and also daunting feeling of learning how to read.
It can be hard to understand one's own feelings yet alone know how to articulate them. One way to encourage children to express and talk about their feelings is to give them art materials and allow them to translate their emotions into art. Another way is to have them practice writing skills and write out how they feel. During this odd time, when our routine is taken away, our emotions (ours as adults, as well as kids) are at a higher point and we may not even know why we are feeling a particular way. The feelings we have within ourselves we may not be able to express to others, into words, but can help ourselves understand them through creating art or writing. Whatever you are feeling, it's ok to feel it.