School is out and the family is gathered for the holidays. So, what better moment than now to crank up some music and let loose on the dance floor (AKA-my kitchen) with the kiddos? It is such a great way to encourage self-expression, build self-esteem, enhance motor skills, and create bonding moments and memories that last a lifetime.
So, today I introduce to you a special guest of mine, Bianca Merkley or what the kids and I call her – “Bee.” She is first and foremost a fabulous singer/songwriter living in New York who is also a music therapist in a therapeutic preschool.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, Bee is sharing with us a song she wrote called , “The Turkey dance.” She encourages the kids to dance and move with scarves and/or colored ribbons as they “flap their wings” when their color is called out.
So, hurry right now- grab the kiddos and crank up the music as you guys dance around like turkeys!
Here is an additional DIY for the ribbon they can flap around with.
#1 Gather scissors, hot glue, a ring, and any ribbon you have around the house.
#2 Wrap the ribbon while putting dots of hot glue around the ring to cover it up.
#3 Tie the ribbon on the ring…and there you go- easy breezy.
For more of Bianca Merkley’s Music visit her at www.biancamerkley.com
and for more and resources for your little ones visit www.weedstowishes.com
xo
Do you need a turkey to do your turkey dance with? Check out this adorable printable Thanksgiving play set pattern!
Missy says
I was up late last night checking on this post and my almost two year old couldn’t get enough of this song! Yes, he should have been in bed, but we were dancing instead!
He is really going to love it when I make him that ribbon…who needs toys for christmas?
Bianca is so talented! Her new album is on my Christmas wish list…good thing I have connections with Santa. 😉
Cristi says
Sleeping is over-rated. My little man also LOVES listening to Bee!
angie says
Oh my Gosh! This is just too cute! I wish I would have soon this earlier…it would be great to do with my art class of kinders! I am going to check out her album-hope there are more like this. She is just awesome!
angie says
And by the way, I just went to her website! She is amazing…I am buying her music asap!
Missy says
check out her section on twitter…it directs you to more “kid” songs on weeds to wishes – or on the weeds to wishes blog search for music monday
Cristi says
Angie- I have been telling her that she should throw out a kid’s album soon…and yes check out http://www.weedstowishes.com for music mondays. Also, some more coming your way on How Does She! My son is obsessed with her new album… it relaxes him… I just pop it in and he is out in like minutes!
Alison says
Ohh I love the sound of her voice! I am glad you are sharing her Missy!
Cristi says
Me too!
stacy says
So cute! I love the song…we will be dancing today when the kids get home from school. Thanks for sharing!!!
Cristi says
Glad to hear that! Let us know how it goes!
Mindy says
Love it! She really has a fantastic voice! It’s the kind of kid song that doesn’t make me want to claw my eyes out. Fun for kids and their parents! 🙂
Cristi says
I know right? I actually like to have these stuck in my head!
mari says
You have such a sweet voice! Thanks for sharing!
Cristi Dame says
You have to check out he new cd: http://www.biancamerkley.com
Mandy @ Hooplaearrings.blogspot.com says
We TOTALLY did this on Thanksgiving with my kids and all my nieces and nephews! They LOVED it and all of us adults even got in on the action!! Oh and I LOVE her voice!
Cristi Dame says
I am so glad to hear that you did that!! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall!
angela r j says
fun. i need to make some turkey “wings”.
Cristi Dame says
Yes! Let me know if you have any othe ideas for “wings!”
Marie B. says
wow, wish I could sing like that!! I definetly believe kids should be exposed to music and culture and will get on making some ribbon for this dance with the kiddos. Thanks for sharing!
Cristi Dame says
Agreed. Exposue to music is super important.
Leslie Hunnicutt says
I loved this idea because it was for Thanksgiving…my kids and I dance to music almost every morning before we take my daughter to school and so to do the turkey dance was great. The kids wanted to hear it over and over…We might be doing this year round!11
Cristi Dame says
Yes! I love that!!
Debby says
Okay, my children would have enjoyed this about twenty years ago! They are now aged twenty to twenty-four. I didn’t see this until Monday, anyway. “How Does She” sent me. So we didn’t do the turkey dance, but every Thanksgiving weekend we put up the Christmas tree, wear Santa and/or elf hats, and – yes – dance.
cristi says
I’ll be sure to get a Christmas song out ahead of time for you guys to dance to!!
Gramma G says
This is such a cute idea. This will be a fun activity for the kids in story hour at the library. I might have to do this with the grandkids at Christmas!
cristi says
Sounds awesome! There will be a Christmas song coming!
Dana says
Love the colored ribbons! Great singing voice, too! 😉
cristi says
Check out her site for her new album that was released this month: http://www.biancamerkley.com
Lauren R says
Thanks for introducing Bianca Merkley to me and my kids. I just watched a bunch of Music Monday Video/Songs. I’m going to pass her name/songs/ideas on to our library story time program.