Cut from the Same Cloth: Folk Songs and Textiles in Inclusive Learning

Information Audio PDF

This resource explores songs about textiles! It contains three songs, all about farming, textiles, and clothes, and explores the different ways in which students can get involved with the songs. It has been developed for working with learning disabled young people in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) settings through EFDSS’ Inclusive Folk project. This topic was relatable to participants and provided opportunities for dressing up and exploring the sensory qualities of fabrics with which to move and dance.

The songs and dances are designed to be inclusive of disabled people, including wheelchair users, those with limited mobility, people with learning disabilities and complex needs and people with sensory impairments. The songs and activities draw on a diverse cultural heritage of Colombian and English folk music.

This resource contains three songs, and outlines different ways in which teachers can use each song.

Yan Tan Tethera: is based on a traditional system of counting sheep (for making wool) from the North of England. It can be used as a warm up song.

My Shoes are made of Spanish: is adapted from a folk song collected in Essex and celebrates the finery of clothes made from fabrics that would have been produced all around the world.

Por el Suelo (On the Ground): is an extract from a Colombian folk song about resilience and growing things from the ground. The lyrics have been adapted by Camilo Menjura to tell the story of sowing, watering and harvesting cotton.

There are separate audio and video recordings (coming soon) of the songs available below. The video recordings demonstrate signing and movement which can be used to help learn the meaning of the words and provide an additional way for students to participate in the songs.

All lyrics have been adapted for accessibility and are paired with sign language and Widgit symbols - © Widgit Software Ltd 2002-2025

Resource written by Emmie Ward and Camilo Menjura, 2025.

This resource is created as part of EFDSS' Inclusive Folk Project, supported by John Lyon's Charity.

Photo: EFDSS, August 2024. Credit: Honor Wicks.