“Herman the Worm” is a classic children’s song by The Learning Station that’s guaranteed to get kids moving, counting, and giggling! This beloved camp song isn’t just silly fun; it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some learning through music and movement. Let’s dive into why “Herman the Worm” is a must-have in your repertoire of kids’ songs.
Why Kids Love Herman the Worm
This song’s charm lies in its simplicity and interactive nature. As Herman the Worm munches his way through increasingly larger fruits, children enthusiastically mimic the actions and sizes, going from a tiny inch to as wide as they can stretch their arms! It’s an engaging way to learn about size comparison and practice gross motor skills. The repetitive structure and catchy tune also make it easy for kids of all ages to learn and sing along.
Herman the Worm Lyrics and Actions
Get ready to sing and move! Here are the lyrics to “Herman the Worm” by The Learning Station, complete with the actions to make it extra fun:
(Sing along and follow the movements.)
I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold fingers up to show about an inch)I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I swallowed one grape”.
I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold hands up to show about 5 inches)
I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I swallowed two apples”.I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold hands up to show about 12 inches)I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I swallowed three grapefruits”.
I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold hands up to show about 3 feet)I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I swallowed four cantaloupes”.
I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold arms out as wide up to as you can.)I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I swallowed five watermelons”.
I was sittin’ on a fencepost slapping on my left knee,
chewing on my bubble gum, chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp,
playing with my yo-yo, do op, do op, do op do op,
and watching the birds fly by.
And then along came Herman the Worm
and he was this big. (Hold fingers up to show about an inch)I asked, “Herman, what happened?” and he said, “I burped!”.
Image alt text: Action! Fun! Dance! CD cover featuring cartoon children dancing, promoting The Learning Station’s music for active kids.
Educational Benefits of “Herman the Worm”
Beyond the fun and silliness, “Herman the Worm” offers valuable learning opportunities:
- Counting: The song naturally incorporates counting from one to five, reinforcing number recognition in a playful context.
- Vocabulary: Children learn the names of different fruits (grape, apple, grapefruit, cantaloupe, watermelon) and expand their vocabulary.
- Sequencing and Size Comparison: The song demonstrates the concept of increasing size as Herman swallows larger fruits, helping children understand sequencing and size relationships.
- Gross Motor Skills: The actions associated with the song encourage movement and physical activity, developing gross motor skills and coordination.
- Listening and Memory: Singing along helps improve listening skills and memory as children learn the lyrics and actions.
Bring Herman the Worm to Your Classroom or Home
“Herman the Worm” is perfect for circle time, classroom activities, parties, or just a fun movement break at home. It’s a fantastic way to engage children, get them active, and make learning enjoyable. You can find “Herman the Worm” on The Learning Station’s award-winning CD, “Action! Fun! Dance!” which is available for purchase and download online.
The Learning Station is renowned for creating engaging and educational music for children. Their songs are a staple in classrooms and homes worldwide, making learning through music a joyful experience. So, get ready to wiggle and giggle with Herman the Worm and discover the fun of learning with The Learning Station!
