Ask a Granny!

Facebook can be a real time-waster and often spreads messages we’d rather not see. But the other day I saw the ‘Four Generations Challenge’ and couldn’t help but smile…

How many of you are lucky enough to have four generations of family alive and well and living close by?

In days gone by it would have been far more common for children to grow up surrounded by their extended family. Now, as people have babies later in life and move around the country (and world) more often, it is becoming less and less common.

There are many things we miss out on when we’re disconnected from the wisdom of our older family members - stories of family, history of property and place as well as time, patience and love.

But we also miss out on the songs that have been passed down from generation to generation. The childhood knee-bounces and finger wiggles, the tales told through story and the bedtime lullabies.

This week, why don’t you ask a Granny about a song they remember from their childhood? It doesn’t have to be YOUR Granny and of course it may actually be a Nonna or a Yaya or Ba OR perhaps you could ask a Grandpa or an Opa or Da?

Here’s MY Mum with some of the children and grandchildren she has sung to… lullabies for the babies, “Popcorn popping on an apricot tree” in Spring time or her rendition of “It’s your birthday”… Granny has a song for EVERY occasion!

But don’t despair if you really don’t have an elder in your life to ask… here are a few of my favourites from little bluebirds that have been passed down through the generations:

Knee-bounces

• Zoom zoom zoom

• Wash the dishes

• Ride-o

• To market, to market

• Here come three kings

• Ride a cock horse

• Hokey pokey

Wiggles

• Engine on the track

• The dog says ‘bow wow’

• This little wind

• This is the mother

• Row, row a-fishing we’ll go

Tickles

• X marks the spot

• A little flea went walking

• There was a little mouse

• Bird fly away, away

Simple songs

• Walk Daniel

• Walk all around kids

• Let’s go walking

• Singing in the kitchen

• Five little ducks

Of course, one part of the magic of sharing songs is the intimacy that comes from the touch, the synchronised movement and the joy of a shared moment. So remember to repay your Granny for the kindness of sharing a song with a great big cuddle!