This week the theme for Playful Preschool is the farm. This theme works well for us because we love to visit farms. We also have a membership to a local farm to pick produce. It is fun and educational each time we visit. We have experienced many county fairs and festivals featuring farm animals. The Sugar Snaps enjoy learning about tractors and farm animals.
They love the classic song, Old Macdonald Had a Farm. I was ready for a new song about animal recognition and sounds and decided to change the classic camp song, “The Other Day I Met a Bear,” into a song about farm animals. I remember singing that camp song when I was in elementary school. Our children are much younger than I was at that time. Now that I’m a parent, I am not crazy about the camp song’s mention of a gun. So, I took a total departure from the original lyrics and only used the tune.
It is tricky getting preschoolers to sing together so that it makes sense when you hear it. I learned this while we were practicing our new farm song. They were much easier to understand in in groups of two than four. Here is a video of Xayden and Ryder singing with me, in case you are not familiar with the tune of the song. It cracks me up how serious their facial expressions are.
You can include any number of farm animals in the song. It is a great way for preschoolers to practice animal recognition and sounds as well as follow instructions. They need to remember when to repeat back and when to sing together. I chose to end the song by meeting a farmer. This next video Clip is Capri singing the farmer verse with me. She and Grayson had trouble singing together so she did a solo.
I made a free printable for you with the lyrics:
Plan Your Learning Week with Preschool Activities for the Farm Theme
From the #PLAYful Preschool Education Team!
Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Art, Sensory, Songs and MORE!!!!
Farm Animal Letter Sounds by Mom Inspired Life
Learning to Write: Labeling the Farm by Growing Book by Book
Make a Who Am I Farm Animal Book by The Educators’ Spin On It
Corn Life Cycle & Sequencing Cards for Preschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
While at the Farm: Children’s Farm Song by Capri + 3
Farm Animal Counting and Sorting Sensory Bin by Life Over C’s
Farm Themed Count and Add Activity for Preschool by Rainy Day Mum
Corn Painting – An Art Activity for a Preschool Farm Theme by Fun-A-Day!
Preschoolers DIY Farm by Tiny Tots Adventure
Preschool Science: Duck Feather Experiment by Raising Lifelong Learners
Farm Animal Sort by Powerful Mothering
Wash the Farm: Fruits and Vegetable Sensory Play for Preschoolers by The Kennedy Adventures
Farm Activities Discovery Table by Little Bins for Little Hands
For further discussion on the topic of preschool literacy activities related to family, check out the Google Hangout on this topic.
Amanda Boyarshinov says
FUN! We sing Down on Grandpa's Farm a lot.
Theresa says
Hi Amanda.
Down at the Farm is a fun song. We have that one on CD and listen to it in the car sometimes.
: 0 ) Theresa
Kim Staten says
What a fun song! My little one loves singing, so we'll have to try it out!
Theresa says
Thank you Kim.
I hope your little ones enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Danielle Buckley says
How fun! The videos are a great addition and your kids are so cute!
Theresa says
Thank you Danielle!
: 0 ) Theresa
Sarah McClelland says
Awesome! We love new songs and my son loves to sing. He is actually pretty great at remembering the words when I don't.
Theresa says
Hi Sarah.
That is great that your son has such a good memory. I love how they are not at all self conscious when they sing at this age.
: 0 ) Theresa
Pschooltoolbox says
Love this song! What a great way to encourage literacy and learning about the FARM through music!
Theresa says
Thank you Preschool Toolbox.
Music sure adds to the fun in learning for our little ones.
: 0 ) Theresa
JDaniel4's Mom says
This is super cute!
Theresa says
Thank you JDaniel4's Mom.
: 0 ) Theresa
Cerys Parker says
Fantastic song and not a tune that I know but it's caught my preschoolers attention and we will be learning it at home.
Growing Book by Book says
We love to sing at our house. In fact, we sang two apple songs at storytime in the park this morning.
Theresa says
Hi Cerys.
I am glad it caught your preschooler's attention. I used the song this morning as a game. I stuck my head into their room and sang the first line and they sang it back. I closed the door and then popped my head back in for the second line and so on. They were highly amused.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Hello Growing Book by Book.
Singing with preschoolers is lots of fun. Ours love to sing.
: 0 ) Theresa
MC says
Thanks for the song idea – I'm going to need to use this with my kiddos later this week. 🙂 Love the videos!!
Theresa says
Thank you MC.
I hope you enjoy trying it with your little ones.
: 0 ) Theresa
Natasha Johnson says
So happy for a new song cause just like you Old McDonald was working my nerves. We have changed Old McDonald now to be an alphabet song but still it annoys me. So I welcome this song with open arms. Thanks
Theresa says
Thank you Natasha.
You made me laugh! The classic songs can be grating after singing them for the umpteenth time. It is nice to have a change once in a while!
: 0 ) Theresa
Deborah Nielson says
I loved the super cute clips of your kids singing the song. Great idea, too, for introducing and reinforcing farm animals. Thanks so much for the post!
http://www.mommycrusader.com
Theresa says
Hi Deborah.
Thank you very much. Our little ones continue to enjoy singing this song.
: 0 ) Theresa