We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Hey, Mr. Monkey

from Animal songs by Margie La Bella

/

about

Benefits: The children gain vocal and oral-motor experience as they sing “ah,” “ee,” and “ooh.” They remember and sequence sound patterns.

Other uses: The children can jump (or move/motion) during the verses, if they have an excess of energy. Then, they sit and sing the chorus. You may even wish to pause and resume the CD and have the children dance and “freeze” during the verses. Again, toys and puppets provide opportunities for all levels of interaction. Use the chorus to help articulation by adding different consonants in front of the vowels.


Description:
1) Demonstrate the sound of a monkey using the "ooh," "ah," and "ee" vowels. Ask the children to join in and do the same.
2) Using one finger, "draw" an imaginary small circle around your lips while singing "ooh." Hold both hands in front of your lips, (nearly) touching fingertips together for the "ah" sound. Bring hands apart, and "flatten" out the rounded circle simulating the formation of the "ee" vowel. This is in an effort to visually cue the children on how their lips are to move to create the three vowels.
3) Encourage children to do the same while singing the chorus.
4) Use pictures, puppets, and stuffed animal monkeys if needed, to elicit and maintain attention.
5) Sing the verses slowly using motions suggested by the lyrics. Have the children move along with you. Then all sing the chorus.
6) The groups alternates between tapping their knees and clapping their hands during the bridge section, then returns to the last chorus.

Adaptations:
1) The auditory feedback created by a real or toy microphone can really motivate and reward efforts at vocalization.
2) Children can jump and "freeze" during the verses, and return to their seats to sing the chorus. This is great for energy release, auditory awareness and impulse control.

lyrics

(Chorus) Oo, oo oo. Ah, ah ah. Ee ee ee. Oo, oo oo. Ah, ah ah. Ee ee ee.

Oo oo oo. Ah, ah, ah. Ee, ee, ee. Oo, oo oo. Ah, ah ah. Ee ee ee,
G
swinging in a tree.

Hey, Mr. Monkey livin’ up in a tree. A coconut is what I see.

Climb to the top and what do you think?

Crack it open and take a drink.


Scratch your head and scratch your chin. Stick out your tongue and pull it in.

Scratch your side. Oh, what could it be? You're turning into a chimpanzee!

Bridge:


Livin’ in the trees is the best thing yet. I wish that you could be my pet!

credits

from Animal songs, released November 25, 2013

license

all rights reserved

tags

If you like Music Therapy Tunes, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now