The History behind “Pop! Goes the Weasel!”
The lyrics to this well renowned kids song comes from the made up rhyming slang by a group of people in London known as the Cockney! This nursery rhyme made its way over the Atlantic in the 1800’s, so since then there has been many variations which make it easier to adapt to the modern day in age of early childhood development. The hidden meaning that not everyone knows about the original kids song is that; back in the day the cobblers would need to “POP” signifying to pawn what’s known as ones Sundays best “Weasel” representing coats to afford the necessities like food and beer from the “Eagle” referring to the London pub. By the weeks end the cobblers would return to the pawn shops to regain possession over the coats and be ready to dress to impress in Sundays best by the chime of the church bells! Pop goes the weasel has not only been revised to tell different stories through its rhythmic melody but also used in many dances even for Queens back in the late 1800’s!
Fundamental Skills
When children ages 0-5 interact with this rhyme they develop the skills of: Growth motor skills, early literacy, and Enhanced storytelling! Growth of motor skills when they move in circles around the mulberry bush to chase the weasel, and leap to represent popping the weasel. Early literacy is achieved by the child learning the long vowel sounds so when it comes to noticing the short vowels it is second nature to them. With the child learning this rhyme to the melody that has no set lyrics they are given the opportunity to change lyrics to whatever their imaginations can come up with as they change the lyrics to tell their story!
Problem Solving
The topic that this rhyme helps children ages 0-5 explore are their ability to see what it takes to be as resourceful as possible to feed one’s family and come up with a way to still be dressed in their Sunday best at the end of every week. These cobblers needed to feed family, gain access to tailoring supplies, and beer at the local pub so they whatever they can to be successful. There are times in life you need to push yourself and think outside of the box. To see the bigger picture to challenges set before you. Children learn self of stem that no matter what you want dress in your best Sunday mornings.
Educate the little tots
Parents and Teachers can use this great little rhyme as a tool to educate exciting experiences in children ages 0-5 by allowing them to change the lyrics but keep the pace of the melody. It is very important to help children learn through repetition and muscle memory. Most teachers enjoy playing the game that accompanies the song, kids seem to love games. Possibilities for this song’s lessons are endless, sing, move, and learn!