English: Managing emotions – Identifying feelings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I love “If You’re Happy and You Know It” just as much as anyone else, but sometimes you need some variety in songs about emotions! Today’s Monday Music & Movement is “When I’m Happy I Tap My Drum”. The song piggybacks the melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle” and is repetitive and predictable.
During the song children will get to show emotions with their body by playing the drum, making facial expressions, using language to name the emotion (if they are verbal). We usually use a gather drum or individual frame drums if there are more than 4 children. Children will watch the adult model and look around to peer models as well so this song is usually full of good natured laughter at the exaggerated faces the group makes.
One thing to keep in mind, depending on a child’s background and experiences, is that he or she may not want to participate in acting out the different emotions. I have had kids that say “I’m never scared” or “I don’t want to be sad”. Therefore, laying down groundwork by explaining that we are just pretending to feel this way, can be helpful. You can also explain that we want to be able to help our friends and siblings when they feel a certain way and that we will all show the feelings together.
“When I’m Happy I Tap My Drum” (sung to melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle”)
When I’m happy I tap my drum, tap my drum and smile like this (show an exaggerated smile while pointing to your mouth)
Repeat 3x
When I’m mad I pound the drum (use fists), pound the drum and sound like this, Grrr (hands in hips and scrunch up face in anger)
Repeat 3x
When I’m sad I rub the drum (slo-o-o-wly), rub the drum and cry like this (pretend cry and show sad face)
Repeat 3x
When I’m scared I tiptoe (use pointer fingers only) on the drum, tiptoe on the drum and hide like this (use hands to hide face)
Repeat 3x
You can add whatever other emotions are salient for the group or in the individual’s goals. We hope you can use this song with individuals, siblings, and groups to safely explore emotions!
