Children has a great ability to play with language, therefore teachers of language must think of ways to facilitate language acquisition, be it mother tongue or second language. It can be  songs,poems, and chants more than they would with adults.  Many children do not tire of practicing a repetitive and rhythmic text several times a day, nany days a week. In using chant, children build up a repertoire of these type and delight in reciting them, or playfully altering them.  Often they incorporate gestures and movement into their songs and chants .

         Some suggested poems are Mother Goose rhymes.  Anthologies of children’s poems from  language arts anthologies for children are also useful.  A guiding principle in choosing poems, chants and songs is to pick the ones you like, both as a teacher and as an individual.  This is important because you will find yourself listening to them again and again.  Sometimes the line between poems and chants can be thin .  In general, chants have a strong and and catchy rhythm. Many are written beforefor two parts, with a call and a response, such as for two groups or individuals and a group.  Many reflect jazz or rap rhythms.  Carolyn Graham originated the term Jazz chant and has published several books of chants for children and also for adults.N the following example, note the  two voices:

  Grandma, Grandma sick in bee.

Call the doctor and the doctor said Let’s get the rhythm of the head

Ding-dong touch head.

Reference: Murcia, M. Teaching English as a second Language

By: Rosalyn B. Angeles | Teacher III | Cabcaben Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan