My son gifted some green game cups to our early years setting. They have been used for many transportation schemas and games, including obstacle courses, water play, and mud kitchen play – needless to say, these cups are versatile and well-loved. Today I stumbled upon seven cups resting on a table. I took all and mindlessly started to sing to myself, ‘seven green cups resting on a ledge, and if one green cup should accidentally fall, there will be six green cups resting on a ledge.’ I kept singing the song to the tone of ten green bottles (that was one of my favorite childhood songs). I kept singing the song when one of my preschoolers asked to join in and sing along. Here are pictures of her singing and moving the cups around.
I am guilty of playing a lot. At times I feel inclined to relive some of my childhood, ideally through these modern experiences. The green cups may have evoked the memory of the green bottles, I am not sure, but the song was stuck in my head, and I was led to play and sing. I was thrilled when my preschooler sat beside me and asked to join in the action and song. I was transported by that joyous moment.
I can’t retell the version of her lyrics however when there were no cups left, she pushed her tongue out of her mouth, giggled, and then said, “I did it!”
Without worksheets, dictation, or lectures – we solved early years mathematics with a song – subtraction was made easy. Each round of song, there was one less cup until the preschooler got to one cup, then stacked them all together. The green cups will be there tomorrow; I know children love repeating play – I am curious to observe her interaction with the seven green cups that were left there waiting for more play.
There is value in play, interaction, songs, and, yes, nursery rhymes.
Until next time – enjoy playing with your children, honor the small teachable moments, and above all- keep loving them.
Lots of love, Suzette Salmon aka Miss Sue
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