Listening & Attention Skills

My Hands on My Head I Place

• "My Hands on My Head I Place" is a great attention getting chant. You can use it to call your students to attention at the beginning of class or during an activity transition. You can teach your students this chant as they sit on the rug during circle time. Model the words and actions then have your students repeat them with you.

  "My Hands on My Head I Place"

  "My hands on my head I place. (Place your hands on your head.)

  On my shoulders, on my face. (Place hands on face.)

  At my waist and at my side. (Place hands on waist then sides)

  And then behind my back they hide. (Hide hands behind your back.)

  Then I raise my hands up high, (Raise your hands above your head.)

  And let my fingers fly and fly. (Wiggle your hands and fingers around.)

  Then I clap them one... two... three... (Clap three times.)

  And see how quiet they can be." (Put your hands quietly in your lap or at your sides.)

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

• You can use the "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear" chant to help your children develop their listening skills. To teach them this chant have your students stand in a circle and model the words and actions and have your students repeat them with you.

  "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear"

  "Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around. (Turn around in a circle.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground. (Bend and touch the ground.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, tie your shoe. (Pretend to tie your shoes.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, read the news. (Pretend to read the newspaper.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, go upstairs. (Pretend to climb the stairs.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, who is there? (Look around.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light. (Pretend to turn out the light.)

  Teddy bear, teddy bear, say goodnight!" (Fold your hands and lay your head on them.)

Hokey Pokey

• The "Hokey Pokey" can be used as a song or a chant. It will help your students practice listening and following directions. To teach them this song/chant, have your students stand in a circle and model the words and actions and have your students repeat them with you.

  "Hokey Pokey"

  You put your right foot in, (Put your right foot into the circle.)

  You put your right foot out, (Take your right foot out of the circle.)

  You put your right foot in, (Put your right foot into the circle.)

  And you shake it all about. (Shake your foot around.)

  You do the Hokey-Pokey, (Shake your fingers above your head.)

  And you turn yourself around. (Turn around shaking your fingers above your head.)

  That's what it's all about! (Hold your hands out to your sides, palms pointed up.)

  You put your left foot in... (Put your left foot into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your right hand in... (Put your right hand into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your left hand in... (Put your right left hand the circle. Etc.)

  You put your right side in... (Put your right side into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your left side in... (Put your left side into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your nose in... (Put your right nose the circle. Etc.)

  You put your backside in... (Put your backside into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your head in... (Put your head into the circle. Etc.)

  You put your whole self in... (Jump into the circle. Etc.)

Open, Shut Them

• "Open, Shut Them" is an excellent attention getting song or chant that you can use to call your students to attention at circle time. You can teach your students this chant as they sit on the rug by modeling the words and actions and having your students repeat them with you.

  Open, shut them, open, shut them (Open and shut your hands twice.)

  Give a little clap, clap, clap (Clap your hands three times.)

  Open, shut them, open, shut them (Open and shut your hands twice.)

  Put them in your lap, lap, lap. (Put your hands in your lap.)

  Creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them (Creep your fingers up your chest.)

  Right up to your chin (Creep your fingers to your chin.)

  Open wide your little mouth (Open your mouth for a moment after singing this line.)

  But do not let them in! (Quickly put your hands behind your back.)

  Falling, falling, falling, falling (Roll your hands over each other as you move them downward.)

  Right down to the ground (Place your hands into your lap if sitting or at your sides if standing.)

  Slowly pick them up again (Slowly lift your hands.)

  And turn them round and round. (Roll your hands over each other again.)