Clapping your Hands in the Classroom

Rhyme History
The original kids songs Happy and you know it was created in the 1950’s and is a nursery rhymes songs. The main lyrics are simple and relative words. “If your happy and you know it”x3 each clap, stomp, shout. The song has been used many times through the years with friends changing the final lyric several times to fit there need. An example would be “if your happy and you know it” shout hooray, nod your head and tap your toe. There was not a copyright claimed until 1971.

How to Teach the Rhyme
The rhythm simple to understand for all ages. It is a continues 1-2 beat that repeats with each set of words. If-Your-Happy is an example of how the whole rhyme is repeated. Most of us have learned this song as a child and did not think about the benefit it provided. However for those who are not familiar with the song there is help. There are multiple free download kid songs YouTube.

The Skills Learned
Though clapping hands seems simple and fun there are several basic skills children learn by doing so. One of the skills learned is motor planning which deals with how children make decisions and think. A second benefit learned by clapping hands is sequence which allows a child to put steps in order. These continue with other basic cognitive skills such as coordination, visual tracking, rhythm and lastly socialization.

what Downloads to use
In order to figure out how to accomplish teaching kids songs to children and their friends all you have to do is use a search engine to research it. The number one site for a video demonstration is free download kid songs YouTube. So look for ways to reach out and learn simple clapping games for kids. The best way to utilize this type of game is to have fun and make it like play. For example say “who wants to learn a rhyme”? In most case as long as you sound enthusiastic about it the kids will be into it. The key is to not allow the children to think there learning something, but having fun. Most often they way something is introduced brokers the response to the “play time”.
Conclusion
The facts about clapping games are most often in how they are presented to the group of children. There are several basic concepts and skills taught through this type of play. Learning the basic skills enable children to learn and grow into valuable adults. Learning the rhymes for songs can be done by a simple search of the internet(google) or YouTube for a demonstration. So engage young ones to learn by clapping your hands if your happy and you know it, stomping your feet if your happy and you know it and shouting hooray if your happy and you know it.(remember do all three x3).