Storytime Share

Old MacDonald Has a Farm Song

Introduction Aside:  Researchers have found that one of the six early literacy skills is phonological awareness. This is the ability to hear and play with the smaller sounds in words, like rhyming, playing with syllables or parts of words, and hearing beginning sounds of words. The beginning of this skills starts with children hearing and saying the sounds of animals.
During storytime sing “Old MacDonald” with the children, including several animals–cow, pig, sheep, chicken, duck, etc.
Aside:  Making the sounds of animals contributes to phonological awareness and hearing sounds in words. Researchers have found these skills help with reading later on.
Closing Aside:  Take advantage of opportunities to play with rhyming words and saying the sounds of animals.
Submitted by Kimberly Burnette-Dean, Roanoke County (VA) Public Library