Sing to the Tune - Terrific Tuesday Books You Can Sing & KID KANDY

Sing to the Tune
Compiled by Joye Smith and Rhonda Robbins-Reeves
(Woman's Missionary Union, 2009)

Piggyback songs. Have you heard the term?

A piggyback song is a song with new words that is created by using the tune of a very familiar song. The new song piggybacks on the previously known melody. This type of song is very easy to adjust to whatever theme, situation, or content that is necessary. Piggyback songs are usually very short and very simple. These songs are perfect for those who work with or have children.

Sing to the Tune is a compilation of piggyback songs that have been made-up by Mission Friends teachers and writers over the course of several years. The songs are divided into the Christian concept areas of God's Creation, God, Jesus, Bible, Church, Family, Self, Community, and World. Cleanup and transition songs as well as finger plays, rhymes, and action songs are included in Sing to the Tune. The wonderful index makes it very easy to look for the songs you would like to use.

I bet you've already made-up your own piggyback songs. Fun times for fun kids.

KID KANDY:

Sing a Song, Make Up Your Own Song

~ Choose a familiar song. "Happy Birthday" is a favorite. Or try "Are You Sleeping?"

~ Sing the old song. Hum the tune.

~ What type of song do you and your child want to make-up? Dogs? Cats? Farms? Babies?

~ Play around with words and make up a few phrases that follow the melody and rhythm of the base song.

~ Sing your new song. Share it with the family.


Here's an example.

Tune: "Are You Sleeping?"

Theme: cats

Cats are meowing,
Cats are climbing,
I hug cats. I love cats.
Do you see them racing?
Do you hear them purring?
Soft, soft, cats.
Furry, furry, cats.

See? Easy and fun.

Remember, word games help a child develop language and literacy skills. Have a go!