We Like to Lie in the Sun

Song Bag Song

We Like to Lie in the Sun is a circle game suitable for any group size which can be played anywhere at any time. The main benefits of the song are connected to speech and language development, as well as preparation for literacy, such as rhyming and sequencing. There are PSE advantages too, including promoting confidence and self-awareness.

Equipped with just a drawstring bag and a few soft toys, song-bag songs are a great way of encouraging even the most resistant child into sociable group exercises. Children are often enticed by possibilities of what is inside and will enjoy using creative thought and imagination to guess, thus also challenging their vocabulary. It is a great way to practise and encourage activities that promote sharing, turn-taking and choice-making.

AREAS OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

– Self-confidence & Self-awareness

Communication and Language

– Speaking

Preparation for Literacy

– Reading

RESOURCES

– A drawstring bag;

– A frog, horse and fish soft toys, and three additional cuddly toys of your choice;

SONG WORDS

Frogs like to jump, jump, jump, jump
Horses like to run, run, run, run

Fish like to swim, swim, swim, swim
But we like to lie in the sun.

8-1 We Like to Lie in the Sun - Full Song

How to...
Step by step

1.Introduce the song bag to the group and have fun letting them guess what might be inside;

3.Point to the frog and ask the group what it likes to do. If they struggle, help them by miming the action;

5.Sing the first line of the song and get the children to sing it back to you. Repeat this with the remaining lines, and then sing the whole song all the way through.

2.Pull out the first three animals, the frog, horse and fish and lie them in a line;

4.Repeat this with the other two animals;

Extension & Development

1.This song provides scope for explaining and practising rhyme. Ask the group if they can spot it in the song and then repeat it a few times;

2.Pick another three animals and repeat the song, changing some of the words based on the children’s suggestions.

8-2 We Like to Lie in the Sun - Alternate Version

Aspects

Early Learning Goals

Activity Contribution to Goals

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Self-confidence & Self-awareness

1. Children are confident to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others.

2. They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about their ideas, and will choose the resources they need for their chosen activities.

3. They say when they do or don’t need help.

Children are asked to contribute their own ideas to the song;

Children are asked to guess what is in the bag, using creative thought, and are encouraged to speak out in front of the group.

Communication and Language

Speaking

1. Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs.

2. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future.

3. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.

Children are asked to provide lyrics for the song, and use differing vocabulary for actions and animals;

The repetition of words within the song helps to embed knowledge of vocabulary.

Preparation for Literacy

Reading

1. Children read and understand simple sentences.

2. They use phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. They also read some common irregular words.

3. They demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read.