Not Itsy-Bitsy Spider
Warning: This post may be of limited interest to those without little children.

Anyone who’s ever taken a kid to a mommy-and-me class or been in any situation where lots of toddlers are being supervised knows the perennial favorite song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. The lyrics are truly timeless and are reproduced below for those who are not familiar with them.

Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Head, shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes

You can hear the tune here, and if you haven’t, you should, for it is most glorious. Now, the important thing about the song is that it’s done with hand motions which are also very nicely described at the same site.

Well, I’ve never been quite happy with this song. The anatomical terms are way too easy, even for little kids, and if you’re going to do hand motions with it, you might as well pick more tickly body parts for some fun. So about a month ago, I created this.

Ribs, duodenum, spine and brain
Spine and brain
Ribs, duodenum, spine and brain
Spine and brain
Axilla, tympanic membrane
Ribs, duodenum, spine and brain
Spine and brain

I think you’ll agree immediately that it’s a superior song. The hand motions simply involve putting your index finger on each body part, or as close as you can without causing pain. For example, a tap on the head is fine for “brain”; no need for neurosurgery. For those who need a little refresher on their high-school anatomy, the duodenum (doo-OD-en-um) is the first part of the small intestine. It is above and to the right of the belly button. An axilla is an armpit. A tympanic membrane is an ear drum. You can’t touch it with your finger, but a finger in an ear does quite nicely.

It’s become a favorite in the Bean household. Our 6 year old girl, after we sat down and practiced saying doo-OD-en-um, has been singing it to her younger sisters to the delight of all.

Sing it to your kids three times, and it’s yours. - served up by Doctor Bean @ 7:37 PM