Language focus: "Can you...?" "I can..." "Wash your..." Body parts (hair, feet, face, knees, shoulders, toes, hands, nose).

Classroom benefits: This is a great song for introducing or reviewing body parts. For non-native speakers of English, it is an excellent tool for communicating the meaning of “Can you....?” and “I can.” This also leads to great role-plays in class. Bring out some sponges and some buckets and pretend it's bath time. Kids love it!

Lyrics and actions:

(You can sing this song in a call-and-response format with the teacher singing the "Can you...?" lines, and the children singing the "I can..." lines. Alternatively, split the class up into 2 groups, and have one group sing the "Can you...?" lines, and the other group sing the "I can..." lines.)

Can you wash your hair? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your hair.)
I can wash my hair. (Pretend to wash your hair.)

Can you wash your feet? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your feet.)
I can wash my feet? (Pretend to wash your feet.)

Can you wash your face? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your face.)
I can wash my face. (Pretend to wash your face.)

Can you wash your knees?(Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your knees.)
I can wash my knees. (Pretend to wash your knees.)

I can wash my hair. (Pretend to wash your hair.)
I can wash my feet. (Pretend to wash your feet.)
I can wash my face. (Pretend to wash your face.)
I can wash my knees. (Pretend to wash your knees.)

This is the way we take a bath. (Wash your whole body!)


Can you wash your shoulders? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your shoulders.)
I can wash my shoulders. (Pretend to wash your shoulders.)

Can you wash your toes? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your toes.)
I can wash my toes. (Pretend to wash your toes.)

Can you wash your hands? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your hands.)
I can wash my hands. (Pretend to wash your hands.)

Can you wash your nose? (Shrug your shoulders, make an inquisitive look with your face, and pretend to wash your nose.)
I can wash my nose. (Pretend to wash your nose.)

I can wash my shoulders. (Pretend to wash your shoulders.)
I can wash my toes. (Pretend to wash your toes.)
I can wash my hands. (Pretend to wash your hands.)
I can wash my nose. (Pretend to wash your nose.)

This is the way we take a bath. (Wash your whole body!)

Activity ideas:

Once the students are familiar with the song, you can do a number of variations, such as reversing roles and having the children ask you, “Can you wash your....?”

When you sing, “I can wash my....”, pretend to wash the incorrect body part and see if the students can catch it!

With this song, you can do a fun role-play in smaller classes. Buy some bath supplies such as sponges and bath caps, and get ready for taking a pretend bath! Or give baths to some stuffed animals.

At home, this song becomes a great bath time song (without music--we don’t recommend CD players in the bathroom!) Not only does it teach body parts but it is also a fun way to encourage your child to start washing her/himself! Try it!

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