Little Red Wagon
Responding to the Unexpected
When things break it can be upsetting to children, and they often need help getting through the upset.
Below is a Kindermusik activity that we do in “Our Time” class, pretending to have a wheel break, fix it and then continue on with song.
Playing out a resolution to this type of event helps children rehearse an attitude of “I can do something about this.” Being able to respond to unexpected of undesired events in this way is an important life skill.
Little Red Wagon
Let’s sit on your adult’s lap for a bumpy wagon ride.
V1: Bumpin up and down… Sing and bounce children on laps
V2: One wheel’s off.. Lead into 2nd V w/a surprise movt to the side, leaning over as if a wheel on your wagon has fallen off “Uho-oh! One of the wheels fell off my wagon, and I’m all lopsided. Hang on tight, let’s see how it rides.”
- Sing verse 2 while playfully leaning over to one side.
- Fix the wheel: “Can you fix your wheel? Let’s hammer it back together. Clang clang, there all better, let’s go for a ride.
- Repeat verse 1
V3: Other wheel’s off… Lean to the other side, Now the other side has fallen off! Hang on! Let’s Go! Bounce & sing verse 3 leaning over to the other side. 
Fix the wheel. Repeat verse 1 bouncing as you sing.
Sing: Little Red Wagon
V1: Bouncin up and down in my little red wagon, Bouncin up and down in my little red wagon, Bouncin up and down in my little red wagon. Won’t you be my darlin?
V2: One wheel’s off and the wagon’s draggin, One wheel’s off and the wagon’s draggin’. One wheel’s off and the wagons draggin’. Won’t you be my darlin?
V3: Other wheel’s off and the wagon’s draggin’. Other wheel’s off and the wagon’s draggin’. Other wheel’s off and the wagon’s draggin’. Other wheel’s off and wagon’s draggin’ Won’t you be my darlin?
For an added surprise, adults can let children fall (gently) through their legs onto the floor at the end of the song. Of course, the children will then need to fix the hole in the bottom of the wagon. And then you will want to ride once or twice more and the hold may come back….
Sign up for a Kindermusik class this fall or come to a drop-in class this summer! Call 503-708-2827
