Singing Games Reception Notations - Hot potato

"Hot Potato" is a delightful singing game suitable for Reception children, which is not only fun but also helps to develop their sense of rhythm and timing. The game is accompanied by a simple and catchy tune, with the lyrics "Hot potato, pass it on," repeated to the melody. The notation for the song is straightforward, consisting of basic rhythmic patterns that the children can easily follow. The game involves singing along while engaging in an activity with a ball, fostering both musical and physical coordination.

There are two variations of the "Hot Potato" game. In the first game, the children form a circle with one child in the middle holding a ball. As they sing the song, the ball is bounced between the middle child and others in the circle, with the aim to pass it accurately to the beat of the music. The word "hot" signals the start of the bouncing, and on the phrase "get rid of," the child in the middle throws the ball to another child and they switch places. The second game also involves children standing in a circle, but without anyone in the middle. They bounce the ball to each other as they sing, and on the word "rid," the child holding the ball throws it across the circle to another child, who then decides the next direction for the ball to go. Both games encourage active participation and attentive listening, as timing is crucial to maintain the flow of the game.