Singing for Choice: How Wheels on the Bus Encourages Communication

Singing for Choice: How Wheels on the Bus Encourages Communication

Looking for a fun way to give your child a sense of choice while supporting their language development? My go-to song is Wheels on the Bus!

Why? Many of the gestures are easy for little ones to learn, making it a fantastic way to encourage communication. I've had the wonderful experience of toddlers approaching their parents and making the “wheels going round and round” gesture to request their family sing the song with them—how amazing is that?!

Little girl enjoying singing Wheels on The Bus, "The people on the bus go up and down."

Singing with Movement & Choice

Singing for Choice: How Wheels on the Bus Encourages Communication

Here’s a sampling of the lyrics if you’re not familiar:

🎶 The Wheels on the Bus go round and round, round and round,The Wheels on the Bus go round and round…👉 (Pause and raise your arms up big for a nice shoulder-opening stretch!)🎶 All over town!

With so many verses (I’ve seen up to 52 online!), this song makes it easy to offer your child a choice:

🛑 "Should we sing about the wipers or the horn?"👉 (Model the gesture for wipers swishing or honking the horn.)

This forces a choice in a playful way, encouraging your child to communicate their wants in a language-rich and predictable setting.

Boosting Engagement & Imitation

🎭 Use expressive facial expressions and voice changes!

• The baby says: "Waaa!" (Make a dramatic crying face!)

• The driver says: "Move on back!" (Use a firm but playful voice!)

When you exaggerate movements and emotions, you capture your child’s attention, making it more likely that they’ll imitate you.

Imitation is a critical early communication skill!

Try It & Join Us!

How did you like this post: Singing for Choice: How Wheels on the Bus Encourages Communication? Have you tried this strategy? Want to give it a go? Let us know in the comments below!

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With heart,

The NewDay Child Coaching Team

Rachel Lynn: Communication and Swallowing/Feeding Guide 🩷

Amber Michelle: Physical Development Guide 💚

Amanda Rae: Fine Motor, Sensorimotor, Sensory/Feeding Guide 💛

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