The Learning Triangle
Watch, Do & Read
PBS 45 & 49 encourage you to use "The Learning Triangle" when you watch our children's shows with your preschoolers. After you WATCH a program, try to DO a related hands-on activity and then READ a related book.
Music, Movement and Literacy
Have you ever made up a song in order to remember something? Music can be used to help children learn throughout their day. Maybe you use songs to let your child know what is expected of her (transition music such as a clean-up song) or maybe you use music and movement to teach alphabet sounds ("B is for bounce"). The following Learning Triangle gives you more ideas about how you can use music to foster literacy skills in young children.
Watch
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Weekdays at 1 pm
Monday, May 24 - Friday, May 28:Dance Week
Monday, June 14 - Friday, June 18: Fathers & Music
Do
Songs in the Key of Buster
Materials
The minstrel moose in "The Ballad of Buster Baxter" makes up songs to tell Buster's story. Children can make up their own songs about the Arthur characters too. Use the tune of a familiar song, such as "If You're Happy and You Know It." Then have the children think of words and movements about the Arthur characters to use instead. If Buster is happy and he knows it, he wiggles his ears. If D.W. is angry and she knows it, she stamps her feet. Write the new song on chart paper, pointing to the words as you sing.
Adventure Ahead!
Materials
- Blanket
-
Rug squares and tumbling mats (arrange with furniture into an obstacle course)
It's fun to act out stories, so invite children to go on a Dragon Hunt. Stand in a circle and ask kids to chant words and repeat actions after you. For example, here's the beginning of the exercise:
I woke up in the morning [stretch]
I decided to find a dragon [show claws and teeth]
I ate a hearty breakfast [eat]
And headed out the door [march]
I walked through the tall grass [push aside tall grass]
I squished through the mud [squish]
Incorporate an obstacle course into the adventure. Have children follow as you cross a river by hopping onto a line of "alligator backs" (the rug squares laid out on the floor), crawl through an ancient tunnel (a blanket-draped table), ski down a steep mountain (the space between a line of chairs), etc.
When you encounter the dragon in its cave, you turn around and run home, retracing your steps in reverse order, but at a much faster pace.
Read
Abiyoyo
by Pete Seeger
A father and his son save the town by singing a song to a mean giant who then dances till he drops.
Arroz Con Leche: Popular Songs and Rhymes From Latin America
by Lulu Delacre
Rhymes, chants and ditties from Latin America are presented in English and Spanish and gentle illustrations are perfect to share with young children.
Clap Your Hands
by Lorinda Bryan Cauley
Lively language encourages readers to clap, swirl and jump through the rhyme and rhythm of this engaging book. Some may even create their own special dances and ways to sing.
The Learning Triangle is written by Bree Silski, PBS 45 & 49’s Ready To Learn Coordinator
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