Groundhog’s Day is on its way and it’s a great time to encourage being silly with your little ones! Do you remember tongue-twisters from when you were a child? Did you ever say “She sells seashells by the seashore” or wonder how many pecks of pickled peppers that peter piper could pick? Or collapse in giggles because it was really hard to say “rubber baby buggy bumpers” three times fast without totally messing it up?
Although it may not seem very serious, any time you speak or sing to your baby or child you’re increasing their intelligence and helping them develop language skills. As they listen and enjoy the sound of your voice they are developing their sense of what sounds right, even if they haven’t begun to speak on their own.
And, best if all, you are bonding. Although a tiny baby can’t pop up out of her crib and say “Gee mom, thanks, that really made me laugh!”. Or her toddler brother won’t declare: “Wow, that increased my vocabulary!”, children know when you are speaking to them and sense your delight in playing with words or in singing a simple song or a set of silly syllables! It stimulates their mind and the attention makes them feel wanted, included and loved.
So, if you’re stuck inside in the cold, you might want to pass the time by trying some tongue-twisters with your kids. Or you might want to try your hand at the Groundhog’s Day song. It asks the timeless question:
“How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck chuck could chuck wood?” and
“How much ground could a groundhog hog if a groundhog could hog ground?” and even
“How much sap could a sapsucker suck if a sapsucker could suck sap?”
If you master any of the groundhog’s day tongue-twisters, you might want to reenact Groundhog’s day in your own living room. Below is a link to an easy pop-up puppet activity. Color your own puppet and the woodchuck or groundhog will pop out of the cup to see its shadow – or not!
So whether you’re waiting for Spring or not concerned about the weather at all, take the time to speak or sing a silly rhyme with your child. Or try not to trip over a tongue-twister with them! Chances are good, they will love and remember the fun you’ve had with them for a long time to come!
Fun Resources
Groundhog’s Day Song – Printable Lyric sheet
http://www.dariamusic.com/theGroundHogSong.php
Groundhog’s Day Pop Up Puppet Activity
http://www.dariamusic.com/docs/PuppetInstructions.pdf
Groundhog’s Day Song On Amazon mp3
Groundhog’s Day Song On Itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/groundhog-song-how-much-wood/id385842751
Lyrics to The Groundhog Day Song
The Groundhog Song (How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck?)
Words and music by Daria A. Marmaluk-Hajioannou
How much ground could a groundhog hog
If a groundhog could hog ground? (2x)
If he could hog ground,
On Groundhog’s Day
I know he surely would!
But, how much ground would a groundhog hog
If a groundhog could hog ground?
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck
If a woodchuck, could chuck wood? (2x)
If she could chuck wood,
She would chuck wood
I know she surely would!
But, how much wood could a woodchuck chuck
If a woodchuck, could chuck wood?
How much sap could a sapsucker suck
If a sapsucker could suck sap? (2x)
If he could suck sap,
He would suck sap
I know he surely would!
But, how much sap would a sapsucker suck
If a sapsucker could suck sap?
Some Popular Tongue Twisters (In English)
She sells seashells by the seashore.
Toy boat. Toy boat. Toy boat.
I saw Esau sitting on a seesaw. Esau, he saw me.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
A proper copper coffee pot.
Six thick thistle sticks. Six thick thistles stick.
Three free throws.
One-One was a racehorse. Two-Two was one, too. When One-One won one race, Two-Two won one, too.
Which wristwatches are Swiss wristwatches?
