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Old MacDonald’s Farm

Engagement Time

5-10 Minutes

This version of Old MacDonald’s Farm is designed to improve your little one’s short term memory and attention span.

Materials Required

Nil

Method

If you are not familiar with the song the words are: Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O; And on his farm he had a (insert an animal here) cow, E-I-E-I-O; With a (sound of the chosen animal) "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" there; Here a "moo" there a "moo"; Everywhere a "moo-moo"; Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. Normally, the person singing would then choose a new animal and simply insert that into the place of the cow with its own sounds. For this version however it is far more beneficial if you add a new animal rather than replace it. Which means the song now goes: Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O; And on his farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O; With an "oink moo" here and a "oink moo" there; Here an "oink" there a "moo"; Everywhere an "oink and "moo"; Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. With successive verses more animals are added such as: Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O; And on his farm he had a cat, E-I-E-I-O; With a "meow, oink, moo" here and an "meow, oink, moo" there; Here an "meow, oink" there a "moo"; Everywhere a "meow, oink, moo"; Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. The song can continue in this fashion until neither of you can remember the order of the animals any more. NOTE: Remember though you do not have to limit Old MacDonald to farm animals. He could quite easily have a zoo instead with lions who roar; parrots who squawk; elephants who trumpet and seals who splash.

This activity develops skills in these areas:

Social Skills Activities

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