The origin of the song is a mystery but its lyrics are credited to Ms. Verna Hills in 1939. Ms. Hill was a longtime resident of Boston, Massachusettes but the song itself is globally known and widespread to all walks of life. The Wheels on the Bus Lyrics made its first debut in the “American Childhood” magazine twenty-fifth edition in 1939 in the United States of America.
It’s more than likely theorized that the childhood musical song was written to captivate the attention of young children while riding the school bus. School-age children in the 1930’s and even today can identify with the motion of the Wheels on the Bus lyrics. Especially, as the song mentions the swishing wipers on the bus, the opening doors on the bus, and then the beeping horn on the bus. The melody of the song is certainly a delightful interactive message to young children’s minds as they travel to school each day.
What skills do children ages 0-5 develop when interacting with this rhyme?
If you’ve ever traveled with toddlers on a bus, car, train, or airplane; you know the importance of keeping them occupied and entertained. Children can also develop speech and listening skills as well as fine and gross motor skills to this repetitive little tune.
As a parent of small children, you can help to enhance your child’s Fine and Gross Motor Skills utilizing coordination methods. Youngsters need to develop flexibility when picking up tiny objects with their fingers and toes. You can incorporate music and audio songs to encourage these skills.
Various dance forms, like ballet, hip hop, tap, and jazz can also be introduced to young children which develop the Gross Motor Skills while encouraging cultural influences. Gross Motor Skills help to improve big movements and the larger muscles located in the arms and legs.
How can parents and teachers use this rhyme to foster the educational experiences with children ages 0-5?
Parents and educators can use this rhyme and other childhood songs to represent diversity, community, and safety while riding public transportation. Children should be taught safety tips and rules while riding buses or trains to school. Starting school and riding on a school bus is a wonderful new experience for youngsters. However, children need to understand bus etiquette, seating arrangements, and diversity of cultures that they will meet while riding on the bus. One thing we can also encourage is independence when getting on and off the bus alone or with a caretaker.
Children are the future and there are so many things we can do to foster memorable experiences for our children. Being tardy, dressing appropriately, making friends, bullying, and having manners are just a few of the lifelong lessons we can teach our children in the formative years.