When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney

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The LH becomes much easier if you give them some preparation finding and understanding the chords first. Spend some time playing C, F & G chords, to allow them to become accustomed and recognise the notes. The last line is almost the same as the first, except for the last two bars. This is made up mainly of the C chord, with the hand shifting down to play one low G chord just before the final forte, octave C in the last bar on the last loud Atch-oo! Practice several times the downward path of 3rds, which occurs twice on the middle two lines with the 1-3, 2-4 hopping downwards, ending on the 5th of the G chord. Then work through the left hand on it’s own, recognising where the C, F & G chords occur (write them in under the notes) as this will help a lot when they try to play hands together. Activity: Sing this song as you put the Christmas tree up and ask your children to count the baubles and name the colours as they place them on the tree.

Attempt the first phrase very slowly, drawing attention to the 3rd bar fingering where the thumb (1) has to be passed under the fingers to play the G on the ‘chim’ of chimney. Just like in the scale of C major, explain that this happens so you don’t run out of fingers! This is an old-fashioned method of doing things and it works perfectly well. Even if Santa is a small man, he has always been able to find his way to children. A tradition like this can be shared by all. How Santa Gets Down The Chimney

Action: Encourage your children to suggest three ways Santa could be helped out of the chimney – this will help develop their problem solving skills. Repeat the next phrase as before, but build a crescendo on the ‘Atchoos’ and follow the fingering carefully, again to make sure you don’t run out of fingers (noticing that the 5 steps up one note higher so as to reach the D on the last Atchoo! Point out the place where the 2 has to step down a note, over the 1 on the D next to middle C on ‘pull’ before playing C – G with 1 – 5 on ‘me out’ Activity: Use household supplies to re-create the nativity scene with your children – such as old shoe boxes, toilet rolls and toy animals - and encourage your children to count and name the animals as they place them in the nativity.

Depending on the age and ability of the child, this may be broken up over two or three lessons. Don’t necessarily expect them to be able to achieve the whole piece at once.Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. (Make heart shape with hands and then place hands together in praying symbol) The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. (Place hands together to create pillow and rest head on them)