Instrumental Activity Book - Diddle Diddle Dumpling

The "Diddle Diddle Dumpling" activity book introduces a charming musical game for children, centered around the traditional nursery rhyme about a character named 'my son John'. Initially, the children are encouraged to become familiar with the chant. Once they have mastered the words, the game begins with participants sitting down, facing the instructor or forming a circle, adopting a pose with one knee raised. The essence of the game is to gradually omit certain words from the chant, replacing them with specific actions. For instance, instead of saying 'shoe', children will tap the floor with their foot, and for 'trousers', they'll clap their hands. As the game progresses, more words like 'My son John' and 'Diddle diddle dumpling' are replaced by tapping different parts of the body or tapping knees. The goal is to perform the entire rhyme with the remaining words and actions, challenging the children's memory and coordination.

In the instrumental version of the game, the actions are substituted with the sounds of musical instruments, adding an extra layer of fun and learning. Words like 'shoe' may be represented by claves, 'trousers' by a tambourine, 'My son John' by an agogo, and 'Diddle diddle dumpling' by a shaker. Children can select any instruments they prefer and initially practice in groups. As they gain confidence, individuals from each group may be invited to perform together, showcasing their ability to remember the sequence and coordinate their instrumental play. This engaging activity not only entertains but also enhances children's musical abilities and group performance skills.