Solving Problems with Music

April 11-16th is a special time of year called the Week of the Young Child. The Week of the Young Child is a celebration that was started by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is a time to celebrate children and the amazing families behind them. It is also a time to spread awareness about the importance of quality learning experiences and supporting children and families. Each day of the week has a different learning theme. To coordinate with Musical Monday, the following activity is a fun educational song you can sing with your child. 

Activity Name: The What Do I Do Song

Objective: Children will learn basic problem-solving strategies.

Age Group: I created this activity with children ages 3 to 5 years in mind. However, this activity is very moldable and could be used for children a little younger or older with some adapting. 

Areas of Development Addressed
This activity supports children’s development in several areas...

• Language Development: Music and singing is an excellent way for children to learn and practice new words and expand their language skills.
• Social Development: One of the goals of this activity is to show children that they can go to an adult for help with a problem. Recognizing that adults can offer assistance and going to them for help is an integral part of social development.
• Cognitive Development: This activity focuses on teaching children how to problem-solve, which is an essential cognitive skill.

Learning Standards
The New York State Learning Standards is a document developed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that serves as a guide for what children should be learning at different ages. This activity meets two of the preschool learning standards. These standards are...

• Standard: PK.AL.2 Actively engages in problem-solving: The idea of this standard is that children should be learning different methods for problem-solving such as trying different solutions and going to adults for assistance (NYSED, 2019). The song activity addresses this learning standard because the objective is to teach children what they can do and who they can go to when they encounter a problem.

• Standard: PK.ARTS.9. [MU: Pr4-6.PK] Performs Music The idea of this standard is that children should participate in basic music performance through singing, playing with instruments, and moving to music (NYSED, 2019). The song activity addresses this standard because it requires children to sing along and follow a rhythm.

The Importance of Problem Solving Skills

As COVID-19 continues to run its course, the whole world is dealing with a lot of uncertainty and stress. This stress can take a toll on children’s and families’ mental health. One way you can work to protect you and your child’s mental and emotional well being is through building resilience. Rachel Wagner (2016), from the Devereux Center for Resilient Children, explains that resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Resilience helps us get through difficult times as well as cope with everyday changes and stresses. One of the ways you can help build your child’s resilience is through helping them develop problem-solving skills. According to the National Association of School Psychologists (2017), building problem-solving skills helps children develop a sense of competency. They learn that they are capable of doing hard things and overcoming challenges, which is critical to maintaining a healthy mental state. Teaching problem-solving skills can also benefit families’ mental health by alleviating some stress. Often children become frustrated when they are met with a problem. This frustration can lead to challenging behaviors such as tantrums. Teaching positive ways to deal with problems can help reduce behaviors related to frustration and alleviate the stress of having to constantly guide children through frustration.

Activity Description

The What Do I Do Song is a song you can sing with your child that talks about different things they can try when they run into a problem. It is set to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” In my version of the song, I talk about taking deep breaths to calm down, talking about our feelings, going to a teacher for help, asking family for help, thinking about solutions, and trying out different ideas. I have linked a video of me singing that you and your child can follow along to. Try singing this song with your child and talking about ways to solve a problem when they are calm. Later, when they become frustrated over a problem, you can use the song as a prompt. For example, you might say, “It looks like you are feeling frustrated right now. Do you remember our problem-solving song?” You can then sing the song together and try some of the different ideas in the song.

Adapting the Song
My version of the song includes some general problem-solving techniques, and if you want, you can use it as is. However, this song can be tailored to your family and child. For example, in the song, I mention going to Mom and Dad for help. However, I realize that families come in all different makeups, so feel free to adapt this song to fit your family. Also, you can add different problem-solving techniques that work for your child. You could even have a discussion with your child about different things they would like to try when they have a problem and add them to the song. The lyrics don’t need to be perfect. In fact, the sillier they are, the more fun you and your child can have.

References

National Association of School Psychologists. (2017). Supporting children’s mental health: Tips for parents and educators [Handout]. Bethesda, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://www.nasponline.org
/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/mental-health/prevention-and-wellness-promotion/supporting-childrens-mental-health-tips-for-parents-and-educators

New York State Education Department. (2019). The New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards: A Resource for School Success. Retrieved from http://www.p12.nysed.gov/earlylearning/d

ocuments/new-york-state-prekindergarten-learning-standards.pdf

Wagner, R. [Hartfordfoundation]. (2016, August 9). Rachel Wagner Talks About Building Resilience in Children [VideoFile]. Retrieved from https://centerforresilientchildren.org/

Squirmy Worm and the Coronavirus

Nearly everyone in the world right now is having to face new challenges and work through difficult emotions.  As COVID-19 continues to spread across the world, it is causing people to experience feelings of stress, anger, worry, and sadness. These emotions can be hard for anyone to work through, but they can be especially difficult for young children who are still learning how to process their emotions. The following learning activity is designed to help children identify the emotions they are experiencing and find healthy ways to work through them. 

Activity Name: Squirmy Worm Feelings Tool

Learning Objective: Children will learn to identify their feelings and practice healthy coping strategies.

Age group: This activity was designed for children four years and older. However, younger children can also participate with some extra support.

Materials:

• Paper
• Any type of drawing utensil
• (Optional) Playdough
• (Optional) Bubble solution

Activity Description:

The first half of the activity involves watching a short-story with your child. I recorded a video with a puppet named Squirmy Worm, which I have linked below. Squirmy Worm has been feeling very upset since the coronavirus started. In this video, we talk about what the coronavirus is and how Squirmy is feeling about it. We then come up with some different strategies Squirmy can use to help him when he is feeling upset. The idea is to show children it's okay to feel upset about the coronavirus and to give them coping tools.

The second half of the activity is where children get to practice identifying feelings and expressing them in a healthy way. The idea is to create two sets of cards. The first stack of cards identifies different feelings. Here is an example I made with clipart.

The other stack of cards contains different ideas for how to deal with those feelings. One example might be a card that shows blowing bubbles to practice taking deep breaths. 

I have attached a pdf file with a few cards I made if you would like a pre-made version. 

Printable Cards Link

However, this is a great opportunity for you and your child to create cards that are tailored to their needs and interests. Start by cutting squares of paper and draw or have your child draw different emotions on each one. Then decide on some activities that you and your child think would help them when they are feeling upset. Draw these activities on separate pieces of paper. You can make as many or as few cards as you want. 

Here is an example of a homemade version that I created using paper and markers.

Once your cards are made, you are ready to start using the tool. This activity will probably work best if you show children how to use it while they are calm so, they are prepared to use it when they are upset. To start the activity, help your child figure out which of the feelings cards matches their current emotions. You can help them label and understand their feelings by saying things such as it looks like you are feeling really mad right now. Once your child identifies their emotions, you can move on to how they want to handle their feelings. Help them to choose from the different pictures of activities they can try. You can offer prompts such as what would you like to do with your mad feelings? Would you like to try squishing some playdough or blowing some bubbles? Once your child has decided on an activity, help them get set up with it. Continue to try different activities until your child is feeling calm again. 

Calming Activity Ideas

The calming activities you choose to put on your cards are really up to you and your child. So feel free to use whatever works best for you. Some general ideas include...

Playing Music

Some children may find music and/or dancing helps cheer them up or calm them down. I have linked some free music for children down below. However, feel free to use whatever music your child likes best. 

• Old MacDonald
• Apples & Bananas Song
• Freeze Dance Song
• Baby Shark

Squish Playdough

Squishing, rolling, and pulling playdough or putty may help calm some children. If you don't have playdough at home, it is very easy to make. The following link has a simple no-bake recipe using flour, salt, and water. 

• Playdough Recipe

Yoga

Some children may find that stretching their bodies and taking deep breaths helps them feel better. I have linked a short yoga video as well as a website that shows different yoga poses to try with your child. 

• Yoga Video for Kids
• Yoga Poses

Blowing Bubbles

Blowing bubbles requires children to take deep breaths, which can have a calming effect. If you don't have bubble solution, you can make a homemade version by stirring 1/2 cup of a liquid soap such as dish detergent and three cups of water together. Pour a small amount into a bowl or shallow dish to dip the bubble wand in. You can make a bubble wand using basic household objects. I used a metal ring from a mason jar and a ring that holds my measuring spoons together. You could also use a kitchen strainer with large holes, or a bangle style bracelet. Really anything with large holes in it will work.

The world is chaotic right now, and everyone is feeling the stress. I hope you enjoy trying this activity and that it brings a little bit of relaxation to you and your children during this stressful time.