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Introduction
Young children learn best through active involvement. The songs on this recording invite children to learn
vocabulary and master a wealth of skills and concepts, including:
1. identifying parts of the body
2. spatial orientation
3. numbers and counting
4. telling time
5. colors
6. plants and animals
7. basic motor skills
8. gaining self-esteem
9. finding joy in singing
10. appreciating the miracle of life
Before playing the recording, you may wish to read through the song lyrics and introduce any
words that may be unfamiliar to the children.
The recording presents twelve songs, first with a vocal version. Then the sequence repeats instrumentally with no voices.
After children learn the words by hearing the vocal version, they can sing along with the instrumental version, hearing
only the music. Children can also create and sing their own words with the instrumental version.
The ways in which you can use these recordings are not limited to the suggestions in this guide.
Allow your creative impulses to lead you to endless possibilities!
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
This song starts with the well-known favorite, "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," and it continues with two new verses.
In the third verse, the children pretend that their fingers are a tiny spider.
The spider crawls up the child's body and is finally washed away by the rain.
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
Creeping, crawling, bit by bit
That tiny spider would not quit.
Kept on climbin,' and it kept on tryin'
Till the sun came shinin' through.
There's a spider on your toenail
A spider on your knee
A spider on your stomach
A spider on your back
A spider on your shoulder
A spider on your neck
A spider on your forehead
A spider in your hair
Now the rain comes down and washes it out.
(Repeat Verses 1 and 2.)
Traditional - Additional Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Growing
In this song, children learn that both plants and animals grow and that they themselves are also growing.
Children begin by swaying from side to side with the music. Each time they hear the words
"grow, grow, grow," they lift their hands higher and higher and higher in the air. Then, with a
flowing motion, they outline a circle with their arms as they sing, "And boys and girls all over the world."
With the first verse, each child curls up into a little ball and pretends to be a tiny seed that slowly
grows into a big tree. During the second verse, each child acts out the growth of a baby by crawling,
walking, talking, and running.
Chorus
There are so many things that grow, grow, grow,
So many things that grow, grow, grow.
There are flowers and trees and chimpanzees,
Mice and rats and little kitty cats.
There are monkeys and parrots, peas and carrots,
And boys and girls all over the world.
Now let's start with a tiny little seed
That slowly grows and becomes a tree.
And the little twigs and branches become big limbs
With leaves that sway and rustle in the wind.
With leaves that sway and rustle in the wind.
Repeat Chorus
Now we all started out as a tiny little baby,
And we grew a little bit and then we could crawl,
And we grew a little more and then we could walk,
And we grew a little more and then we could talk,
And we grew a little more and we could run like the wind.
Repeat Chorus
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
What a Miracle
This call-and-response song celebrates the miracle of the human body and the many ways in which it can move.
Children listen to each phrase, sing it back like an echo, and then do what the words say. As an extra challenge,
children can combine the movements described in each verse and do them while singing the chorus.
I have hands.
I have hands.
Watch me clap, watch me clap.
Oh, what a miracle am I.
I have feet.
I have feet.
Watch me stamp, watch me stamp.
Oh, what a miracle am I
Chorus
Oh, what a miracle! Oh, what a miracle!
Every little part of me,
I'm something special, so very special,
There's nobody quite like me.
I have arms.
I have arms.
Watch me swing, watch me swing.
Oh, what a miracle am I.
I have legs.
I have legs.
They can bend and stretch, they can bend and stretch.
Oh, what a miracle am I.
Repeat Chorus
I have a spine.
I have a spine.
It can twist and bend, it can twist and bend.
Oh, what a miracle am I.
I have one foot.
I have one foot.
Watch me balance, watch me balance.
Oh, what a miracle am I.
Repeat Chorus
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Things I'm Thankful For
This soothing ballad will help children to develop an awareness of all that they can be thankful for.
It is so easy that they can readily learn to sing it. After children have learned the song, have them
think of other things for which they can be thankful. Then have them sing their own words, accompanied
by the instrumental version of the song.
There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far.
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are.
I'm thankful for the earth.
I'm thankful for the sea.
I'm thankful for my friends.
And I'm thankful to be me.
There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far.
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are.
I'm thankful for the sun.
I'm thankful for each tree.
I'm thankful for my home.
And I'm thankful to be me.
There are many things I am thankful for
I can find them near and far.
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are.
I'm thankful for my food.
I'm thankful to be free.
I'm thankful for the stars.
And I'm thankful to be me.
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Sammy/I'm Glad I'm Me
This is a story song that children can enact by moving like the animals named in each verse.
The story is about a boy named Sammy. His father sent him to the store to buy bread, but
Sammy didn't want to walk. Instead, he wished he could fly like a bird! Sammy had some
friends who also wished for other ways to go to the store. In the end, Sammy and his
friends learned to accept and appreciate themselves as they are.
This is a story 'bout Sammy.
His father sent him out to buy bread,
But Sammy didn't feel like walkin.'
He wished he could fly instead, and he said,
"If I were a bird, I would fly to the store,
Fly to the store, fly to the store.
If I were a bird, I would fly to the store,
Fly to the store for my father."
This is a story 'bout Clara
Her father sent her out to buy bread.
But Clara didn't feel like walkin.'
She wished she could gallop instead, and she said,
"If I were a pony I would gallop to the store,
Gallop to the store, gallop to the store.
If I were a pony, I would gallop to the store,
Gallop to the store for my father."
This is a story 'bout Lucinda and José.
Their father sent them out to buy bread.
But Lucinda and José didn't feel like walkin.'
They wished they could jump instead, and they said,
"If we were kangaroos we would jump to the store,
Jump to the store, jump to the store.
If we were kangaroos, we would jump to the store,
Jump to the store for our father."
Then Sammy and his friends remembered the bread,
And knew they better move along.
And as they walked, each one smiled,
And made up a brand new song.
"I'm glad I'm me, and I'm walking to the store,
Walking to the store, walking to the store.
I'm glad I'm me and I'm walking to the store,
Walking to the store for my father."
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Colors In Motion
In this activity, each child holds a scarf that is one of the following colors:
red, blue, yellow, green, purple, or orange.
Begin with each child sitting down. When a child's scarf color is called, the
child stands up and waves the scarf. By the end of each verse, all the scarves
with all the colors are waving. When the children hear the words, "Everybody quickly jump up and sit down,"
they quickly sit down and get ready to do the activity again-this time, with the colors called in a different order.
Red stand up.
Green stand up.
Purple stand up.
Orange stand up.
Blue stand up.
Yellow stand up.
Hey, everybody, let's wiggle and wave,
And see all the colors in motion.
This is a song about colors, colors
You see them all around.
There is red on a stop sign, green on a tree,
Blue in the sky and sea.
Now everybody quickly jump up and sit down.
Yellow stand up.
Blue stand up.
Orange stand up.
Purple stand up.
Green stand up.
Red stand up.
Hey, everybody, let's turn in a circle,
And see all the colors in motion.
This is a song about colors, colors
You see them all around.
There is orange on a pumpkin, purple on a plum,
Yellow on bananas-yum, yum.
This is a song about colors, colors
You see them all around.
It's about the happiest song in town.
Now everybody quickly jump up and sit down.
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Jolly Clock
Children learn to tell time on the hour as they move to this cheerful tune.
Have a large cardboard clock facing the children. An adult or child who
knows how to tell time places the hands of the clock in position to show the time
as it is named in the song. The children mirror the clock and put their arms and
hands in the same position as the clock hands.
During the chorus, the children can swing their arms from side to side or create
their own arm motions as they bounce and sway with the music.
Chorus
I am a jolly clock I am.
See me dance and move my hands.
How I love to tell the time of day
In the early morning light.
Or when the stars come out at night
I can say 'most any time of day.
I swing my hands to 10 o'clock,
See me saying 10 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 4 o'clock,
See me saying 4 o'clock.
I raise my hands to 12 o'clock,
See me saying 12 o'clock.
I drop one hand to 6 o'clock,
See me saying 6 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 7 o'clock,
See me saying 7 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 3 o'clock,
See me saying 3 o'clock.
Repeat Chorus
I swing my hands to 2 o'clock,
See me saying 2 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 8 o'clock,
See me saying 8 o'clock.
I raise my hands to 1 o'clock,
See me saying 1 o'clock.
I drop one hand to 5 o'clock,
See me saying 5 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 11 o'clock,
See me saying 11 o'clock.
I swing my hands to 9 o'clock,
See me saying 9 o'clock.
Repeat Chorus
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
What Is Your Name?
This is an excellent activity to help children to introduce themselves and learn each
other's names. Each time they hear the question, "What is your name?" children take
turns saying their names. After the singer says, "I'm pleased to meet you," each child
responds with "The pleasure is mine."
Now, let's have a little fun and play a little game.
The name of the game is "What is your name?"
When people get together, they greet and ask,
What is your name?
What is your name?
What is your name?
What is your name?
I'm pleased to meet you.
(Response) The pleasure is mine!
What is your name?
What is your name?
What is your name?
I'm pleased to meet you.
(Response) The pleasure is mine!
You're lost, and you need help.
A police officer sees you and greets you.
He/she says, "I would like to take you home,
But tell me please, What is your name?"
Repeat Chorus
Alternate Lyric:
Now, let's have a little fun and play a little game.
The name of the game is: What is your name?
When people get together, they may talk about the weather
But the first thing they say is, "What is your name?"
What is your name? My name is _______ (3x)
It's nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too!
Suppose that you're lost and you don't know where you are
You meet a friendly officer who wears a shiney star
He says, "You're not alone, we'll call your parents on the phone
But first I need to know: What is your name?
What is your name? My name is _______ (3x)
It's nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too!
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Put Your Hands Up in the Air
This song helps children make the transition from high-energy activity
to a quieter activity. They follow the directions and add their own motions,
swaying, bouncing, or stepping in a slow, easy, relaxed manner. The song ends
with all children sitting down and closing their eyes.
Put your hands up in the air,
Put your hands down on your nose,
Put your hands up in the air,
Now bend down and touch your toes.
Everybody turn around,
Now let's all jump up and down.
Put your right hand in the air,
Put your right hand on your lips,
Put your left hand in the air,
Now put both hands on your hips.
Everybody turn around,
Now let's all jump up and down
Tiptoe quietly to your seat,
Don't let anyone hear your feet,
Put your hands down in your lap,
Bow your head and take a nap.
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Five Little Monkeys
The first verse of this song is an often-used chant called "Five Little Monkeys."
A melody and new verses have been added to allow children to experience a wider
range of movement and to introduce problem solving. Children act out the story of
five monkeys who fall down and bump their heads while jumping on the bed. When the
doctor tells their mother that they should not jump on the bed, they try hopping, and then
turning. The little monkeys finally solve the problem of how to play and not hurt themselves.
They decide to go outside and jump on the lawn!
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
They all fell down and bumped their heads.
Mama called the doctor; the doctor said,
"No more monkeys jumping on the bed!"
So they thought and thought then said, "Let's hop instead!"
Five little monkeys hopping on the bed,
They all fell down and bumped their heads.
Mama called the doctor; the doctor said,
"No more monkeys hopping on the bed!"
So they thought and thought and then said, "Let's turn instead!"
Five little monkeys turning on the bed,
They all fell down and bumped their heads.
Mama called the doctor; the doctor said,
"No more monkeys turning on the bed!"
So they thought and thought and then said, "Let's jump outside!"
Five little monkeys jumping on the lawn,
They just kept jumping on and on.
The doctor told mama, "There's nothing wrong.
Just let those monkeys keep jumping on the lawn!"
Let them jump, jump, jump, Then all fall down!
Traditional Chant - Music and Additional Words: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
The Beanbag
For this activity, each child needs a beanbag; this is a small cloth bag filled with dry,
uncooked beans. The bag is sealed on all sides. The children listen to the song and do
the motions that are described. As the children participate, they learn the names of
body parts and develop the skills of throwing, catching, and moving to the rhythm of the music.
Chorus
Throw the beanbag and catch.
Turn around, turn around, stamp, stamp, stamp.
Throw the beanbag and catch.
Turn around, turn around, stamp, stamp, stamp.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Repeat Chorus.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Put it on your shoulder.
Put it on your elbow.
Put it on your knee.
Put it on your back now.
Put it on your stomach.
Put it on your finger.
Put it on your foot.
Put it on your arm now.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Put it on your head and walk around the room.
Repeat Chorus.
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Stepping Out on the Town
This song focuses on numbers and motor skills. Children count as they walk, jump, tiptoe, hop, and run.
To begin, each child chooses a spot in the room and calls it home.
Each verse of this song gives a way to travel around the room and tells the
time to arrive back home. As the numbers are called, the children count out loud
and move around the room. The goal of each verse is to arrive back home on time.
Stepping out on the town; stepping out on the town,
But you must be home by eight.
Stepping out on the town; stepping out on the town.
Have a good time, but be home by eight.
(Spoken) One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
It's eight o'clock! Hope you made it back home!
(Similarly to the verse above)
Jumping out on the town; jumping out on the town,
But you must be home by ten...
Tiptoe out on the town; tiptoe out on the town,
But you must be home by nine...
Hopping out on the town; hopping out on the town,
But you must be home by three ...
Running out on the town; running out on the town
But you must be home by twelve ...
It's twelve o'clock! Hope you made it back home,
'Cause it's midnight, it's midnight,
And everyone should be back home.
Words and Music: Hap Palmer
©Hap-Pal Music
Credits
Words and Music by Hap Palmer
All songs translated by Claudia Orejuela Steeves
Lead Vocals: Hap Palmer
Childrens Chorus: Ilse Gomez, Sharon Gomez, Nicole Gonzales, Mauricio Guerrera,
Sebastian Guerrera, Jasmine Reyes, Director: Diana Acuña
Background Vocals: La bolsita de frijoles, La araña pequeñita,
Sammy / Soy feliz de ser como soy, Veamos los colores moverse
Diana Acuña, Ricardo Pasillas, Paulina Aguirre
Background Vocals: Cinco monitos, Creciendo, Pon las manos arriba,
Un reloj feliz, Saliendo a la ciudad, Qué milagro, Doy gracias
Frank Giraldo, Annette Ortiz Mata, Carolanne de Leon,
Director: Steve Lively
Consultants:Frank Giraldo, Eduardo Kagan, Jessica Ruiz Miñán, Liliana de Leon Torsiello,
Bob Para, Laura Radchik, Vicky Silva, Marlene Vargas
Illustration and Graphic Design: Graham I Haynes
The Bean Bag, Five Little Monkeys, Growing, Put Your Hands Up In The Air
Arranger: Miriam Mayer
Recording Engineers: Tom Perry, John Slatter
Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer: Steve Kaplan
Bass: Jim Garafalo
Drums: Tom Walsh
Guitars: Grant Geissman, HapPalmer
Saxophones: Jon Kip, Miriam Mayer, Hap Palmer
Flutes: Suzanne Teng, Jon Kip
Trumpet: Stu Blumberg
Percussion: Brian Kilgore
Violin: Miriam Mayer
Banjo, Mandolin: Grant Geissman
Songs in English from the recordings
SO BIG
CAN A JUMBO JET SING THE ALPHABET?
The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Sammy/ I'm Glad I'm Me
Arranger:Miriam Mayer
Engineer: Joe Bellamy
Guitars: Pat Kelly, Grant Geissman, Hap Palmer
Piano and Keyboards: Steve Kaplan
Drums: Tom Walsh Bass: Jim Garafalo
Violins: Miriam Mayer, Johnny Wittsend, Pytor VonKant
Viola: Miriam Mayer
Cello: Rudolph Strains
Saxophones: Chris Bleth, Hap Palmer
Flute, English horn: Chris Bleth
Trumpet: Chris Tedesco
Trombone: Jim McMillan
Percussion: Brian Kilgore
Songs in English from the recordings
EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSICS
GETTING TO KNOW MYSELF
What Is Your Name?
Guitars: Hap Palmer
Keyboard: Joe Bellamy
Bass: Joe Bellamy
Percussion: Joe Bellamy, Hap Palmer
Song in English from the recording:
LEARNING BASIC SKILLS THROUGH MUSIC
Stepping Out On The Town
Arranger: Bob Summers
Engineer: Don Perry
Keyboards: George "Smitty" Price
Drums: John Perry
Bass: Bill Perry
Percussion: Bill Schlitz
Guitar: Hap Palmer
Featuring: Bob Summers Chamber Orchestra
Song in English from the recording:
CAN A CHERRY PIE WAVE GOODBYE?
Jolly Clock, Colors In Motion
Arranger: Miriam Mayer
Recording Engineers: Mark Creamer, Joe Belamy, Eva Armanto
Guitars: Grant Geissman, Hap Palmer
Keyboards: Steve Kaplan
Drums: Tom Walsh
Bass: Jim Garafalo
Percussion: MB Gordy
Piccolo, Flute: Jennifer Vaccaro, Mike Vaccaro
Songs in English from the recording:
CAN COCKATOOS COUNT BY TWOS?,
What A Miracle
Arranger: Bob Summers
Engineer: George S. Price
Keyboards: George S. Price
Drums: Dan Greco
Bass: Bill Perry
Percussion: Bill Schlitz
Acoustic Guitar: Hap Palmer
Electric Guitar: Bob Summers
Featuring: Bob Summers Chamber Orchestra
Song in English from the recordings:
WALTER THE WALTZING WORM and PEEK-A-BOO
Things I'm Thankful For
Keyboards, Guitar, Bass: Bob Summers
Song in English from the recording: HOLIDAY MAGIC
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