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How do I effectively use music props in preschool movement activities?

Scarves, Ribbons, or Music Props?

Materials for movement activities are usually scarves, ribbons, and giant scrunchies. However, sometimes, we need specific props to make the musical lyrics of a song crystal clear. In this post, I will answer the question with a practical example. I explain how I introduce a dance song, ‘The Farmer in the Dell’ by using seven props to support the music. I’m calling them ‘music props’.

The Farmer in the Dell Dance Game with Music Props

German Folk Song

Here are my TIPS for teaching this song and activity:

Use distinctive props for each character’s place in the music
Simplify the lyrics
Simplify the activities and reduce the dance steps to three instructions
Make a video to help them understand the lyrics

1. Materials/ Props for Each Character

For 7 children, choose one of these music props for each character

Farmer — a wide-brimmed hat
Wife — a different kind of wide-brimmed hat
Child — a toy child
Dog — a toy dog
Cat — a toy cat
Mouse — a toy mouse
Cheese — a toy cheese, OR make a piece of cheese from a box covered in yellow paper or felt.

For a larger group.e.g., 12 children, simply increase the number of music props to 12

One Farmer
One Wife
One cheese
Two toy children
Two toy dogs
Two toy cats
Three toy mice

2. Lyrics

The farmer in the dell, the farmer in the dell,
Hi, ho the derio, the farmer in the dell,

The farmer takes a wife, the farmer takes a wife,
Hi, ho the derio, the farmer takes a wife,

The wife takes a child, the wife takes a child,
Hi, ho the derio, the wife takes a child,

The child takes a dog, the child takes a dog,
Hi, ho the derio, the child takes a dog,

The dog takes a cat, the dog takes a cat,
Hi, ho the derio, the dog takes a cat,

The cat takes a mouse, the cat takes a mouse,
Hi, ho the derio, the cat takes a mouse,

The mouse takes a cheese, the mouse takes a cheese,
Hi, ho the derio, the mouse takes a cheese,

(Tell all the children to run away while you clap to the beat)

The cheese runs away, the cheese runs away,
Hi, ho the derio, the cheese runs away.

3. Simple Activities Supported by Music Props

Watch the first part of the video and simply listen to the song. Check out the music props in the video.
After watching, practise singing ‘Hi Ho the derio.’
The educator shows each of the music props in the basket, and each child chooses one to wear or hold. Chat about the props they chose to ensure they know which character they are playing. Invite the children with the dog, cat and mouse props to make a sound.
When everyone is happy with their prop, stand in a circle formation.
It is helpful to have adults in the circle to keep it wide open.
When the music begins, dance to the left.
Sing the line “Hi, ho the derio” (and other lines they remember).
When the music for the second verse begins, turn and dance to the right.
Keep changing direction with each new verse. Feel the musical changes.
When you sing, ‘The cheese runs away,’ stand still and ask the adults to clap the beat.
The child holding the music prop for the cheese needs to run away to the other side of the room.
(Some children are too shy and might need an adult to run away with them).
Cheer at the end because the cheese escaped from the mouse!

4. Make a Video

I made a video so that the children could watch it before they did the dance and understand the characters, the sequence, and the circle dance formation. You can watch it on YouTube: The Farmer in the Dell Song: Get Ready to Groove with the Easiest Dance Ever!

I also made a video for the adults or older children teaching the game to the little ones. It’s available to members of the Early Childhood Music Hub inside the topic ‘Materials’. Find out more

Extra Notes

I have chosen these lyrics and created these activities so that you can play a simple version of this folk-dance game with your 3- to 6-year-olds.

It is important not to overdo a song at this age. Twice or three times in one session is enough. If your group is larger than twelve, increase the number of props or repeat the dance with different children holding the props so that everyone gets a turn.

A ‘dell’ is a small valley with trees.

If you prefer a gender-inclusive version, substitute ‘farmhand’ for ‘wife’.

Conclusion

In the song ‘The Farmer in the Dell,’ all sorts of things happen. It’s too complicated for children to dance to the music without knowing who’s doing what, so the props aid understanding.

Children need something real because there are so many words in their lives that they don’t always understand what you’re singing about.

The YouTube video will show you all the props I used to make ‘The Farmer in the Dell’ suitable for four-year-olds. As a song with nothing to see, it’s just a blur of many words.

REFERENCES

The Farmer in the Dell is a traditional song with a dance that is also a game. According to Wikipedia,

“It probably originated in Germany and was brought to America by immigrants.^[1] From there, it spread to many other nations and is popular in a number of languages. It is Roud Folk Song Index number 6306.”

Here are two places you can look it up.