Unlocking Language

Singing Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? is a wonderful way to support children’s communication and interaction skills while making story time fun and engaging.

Why sing instead of just read?
Songs naturally capture children’s attention and encourage them to join in. The rhythm, melody, and repetition help children process and remember new words more easily, supporting language development and understanding.

The power of pausing
As you sing, pause before naming the next animal or sound. These pauses create opportunities for children to:
• Anticipate what comes next
• Fill in the gaps with words, sounds, signs, or gestures
• Take turns in the interaction
• Build confidence in communicating

Every pause gives children a chance to be an active participant rather than just a listener.

Using a Core Board
Pairing the song with a core board featuring the animals from the story helps children connect spoken words with visual symbols. This supports:
• Understanding vocabulary
• Learning and recalling animal names
• Expressing choices and comments
• Using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to participate

Children can point to the animals as they hear them, find the next animal during pauses, or use the board to communicate what they hear.