Quiet time with books is an excellent way to finish a session.  It allows everyone to become calm by entering a light trance before transitioning to the next part of their busy day. While looking at the pictures, the children can listen attentively and many also take this opportunity to study your face as you articulate the sounds of sung language.  In this way they gain information about how to make the sounds themselves.

As a counterpoint to the songs about happiness, this song is included to focus attention on compassion for an unhappy animal.  Songs have a powerful healing effect and this one can help a child who is feeling full of pain and confused after hurting someone or being hurt.  The key changes from minor to major on the last cadence.

• A story song activity
• Suggestions for how to do the activity
• Song lyrics, including a wall chart for display
• A simple score with chords
• The musical concepts featured
• Language and speech development opportunities
• A backing track to support your voice singing “live”
• A matching track with a vocal added to assist you in learning how to sing the song live with your children.

If I Had a Donkey Vocal Preview by Musical Child

If I Had a Donkey Preview by Musical Child