MA Standards:
English Language Arts/Speaking and Listening/SL.PK.MA.1a: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (e.g., taking turns in talking, listening to peers, waiting to speak until another person is finished talking, asking questions and waiting for an answer, gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Foundational Skills/RF.PK.MA.2: With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
Head Start Outcomes:
Social Emotional Development/Self-Regulation: Follows simple rules, routines, and directions.
Language Development/Receptive Language: Attends to language during conversations, songs, stories, or other learning experiences.
Literacy Knowledge/Phonological Awareness: Identifies and discriminates between separate syllables in words.
PreK Learning Guidelines:
English Language Arts/Language 1: Observe and use appropriate ways of interacting in a group (taking turns in talking; listening to peers; waiting until someone is finished; asking questions and waiting for an answer; gaining the floor in appropriate ways).
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 12: Listen to, recite, sing, and dramatize a variety of age-appropriate literature.
English Language Arts/Reading and Literature 8: Listen to, identify, and manipulate language sounds to develop auditory discrimination and phonemic awareness.
Greeting Song: “If Your Name . . .” #1
© Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Early Education and Care (Jennifer Waddell photographer). All rights reserved.
ELA Focus Skills: Active Listening, Phonological Awareness
Have children sit in a circle. Go around the circle and clap the parts in each child’s name. Encourage children to join you in singing.
- Sing the first verse of “If Your Name . . . .”
- Signal children whose names have one syllable to stand up.
- Say the name of each child with a one-syllable name with him or her as you both clap one time. Then have the child sit back down.
- Repeat with children with names with multiple syllables. Say the name of each child as you clap to the syllables.
If Your Name . . .
(sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
If your name has one word part, please stand up.
If your name has one word part, please stand up.
If there’s one part and you know it,
And you really want to show it,
If your name has one word part, please stand up.
Add verses for names with two, three, four, and five syllables, as needed.
Adaptation: If very young children have trouble clapping the syllables, hold their hands and clap with them.
Social Emotional tip: Changing procedures with greeting songs helps children build the ability to manage transitions and adapt to changes in routines and new situations.