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Month: September 2021

Fingers & Toes: Fun Kids Counting Songs

fun kids counting songs

“This little piggy went to market…This little piggy went home…” Wiggling tiny little toes is part of the joy of singing and playing with little children. We even joke about learning to count with fingers and toes. But really we do learn this way! Parents begin the process of teaching their children from the time they are babies! Let’s explore some fun kids counting songs.

Why are Counting Songs Important?

Kids learn through play. When they are having fun, they don’t even realize they are learning. So singing songs and reciting rhymes that involve counting help children learn while they are having fun. In this article we will highlight some of the early nursery rhymes and fun songs that parents and teachers can learn and teach to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. I guarantee they will love to sing and move to these fun counting songs.

What are Some Counting to Five Songs?

Let’s begin with your fingers. Kids learn to count to five first. One idea I like to share with parents is when you count to five using your fingers, count consistently. Start with your thumb and move to the pinky. These are the finger numbers for playing the piano, so always referring to thumb as finger number one, pointer finger as two, middle finger as three, ring finger as four, and pinky as five will help them later on if they begin taking piano lessons.

There are lots and lots of Youtube variations of these songs. I will link some quality teaching versions so you don’t have to search for them! Personally, I like the less flashy entertainment kind of videos that kids like to watch because we want good teaching content… Ideas that teachers use to get the most out of teaching these songs. So watch these videos to the end. You get a lot of great ideas on HOW to sing these songs to kids so they are having fun and learning!

Five Little Ducks

Five little ducks counts backwards from five down to one. You can have your child keep track of how many ducks with their fingers which helps improve their fine motor skills. Or it is fun if you make some manipulatives like finger puppets to playact as you sing!

five little ducks

Five Little Ducks – Lyrics

Five little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack”
But only four little ducks came back.


Four little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only three little ducks came back.


Three little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only two little ducks came back.



Two little ducks
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only one little duck came back.


One little duck
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
Mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But none of the five little ducks came back.


Sad mother duck
Went out one day
Over the hills and far away
The sad mother duck said
“Quack, quack, quack.”
And all of the five little ducks came back.

Five Little Ducks – VIDEO

This video from Super Simple Songs demonstrates motions for this song! I also like how they count the number of ducks at the end of each verse. Talking about safety and mother duck’s concern for her little ducks is an additional teaching moment.


Five Green and Speckled Frogs (or Five Little Frogs)

Five Green and Speckled Frogs is similar to the Five Little Ducks song because it begins with 5 and counts backwards which is teaching subtraction.

Five Green and Speckled Frogs – Lyrics

FIVE green and speckled frogs
Sat on a speckled log
Eating some most delicious bugs
Yum Yum.

One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were FOUR (subtract one each verse) speckled frogs.
Glug Glug.

(Repeat song using the number four, then three, then two, then one, then no in place of FIVE)

five green and speckled frogs counting song

Five Green and Speckled Frogs – VIDEO

This video has helpful instruction on how to teach this song at the end of the song.


Alice the Camel

alice the camel kids counting song lyrics

Make a Camel Craft
Make some fun camels using the number of humps your child wants! Fun activity!

Alice the Camel – VIDEO


Five Little Monkeys

I love to allow kids to play with props to this little nursery rhyme. First of all, monkeys are so cute. Kids love to watch them! And jumping is fun! So get some monkey stuffed animals, finger puppets, or just print some monkeys out on paper that children (or you) can cut out! Kids will love jumping these monkeys all around!

Five little monkeys kids counting song

Fun Five Little Monkeys Craft Idea

This craft is definitely for a little bit older kids, but it looks so fun!

How to Teach “Five Little Monkeys” – VIDEO


Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
If you want to take a trip,
Climb aboard my rocket ship.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
We’re going to the moon.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Blast off!

Zoom Zoom Zoom counting song for kids

What are Some Count to 10 Songs?

One Two Three Four Five

One, two, three, four, five,
Once I caught a fish alive,
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
Then I let it go again.
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.

fishing song with numbers

10 Little Indians

Ten Little Indians song is one of my favorite teaching songs because it very versatile. You can change the words to this song in numerous ways. And you can also count this song backwards. Here are the original song lyrics.

One little, two little, three little Indians
Four little, five little, six little Indians,
Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians,
Ten little Indian boys.

lyrics for kids counting song

Here are a few examples of how I change the song lyrics while keeping the number counting and the melody the same.

Sing about FRIENDS… Ten little friends at the park or Ten little friends playing ball, etc.

BUBBLES! Ten little bubbles go pop!

BUGS! Ten little bugs fly away.

LEAVES! Ten autumn leaves on the ground.

RAINDROPS! Ten little raindrops on my head.

SNOWFLAKES! Ten little snowflakes on my tongue.

See what I mean? You can sing about practically anything! It’s fun to let children brainstorm and come up with ideas. They love to create and when kids are invested in their own learning, learning is so much fun!


Ten in the Bed

Imagine a crowded bed. What is on that bed? Tons of stuffed animals? Lots of friends having a sleep over? Or it’s a big, big family. No matter what you imagine is on the bed, you can collect 10 and reenact this song.

10 in the bed lyrics
Ten in the bed kids song counting to ten

Early in the morning, kids are usually a little slow to get going. Having fun right at the start of the morning as you get your child ready for the day is so playful and fun. Singing and imaginative play gets the day started with lots of positive energy! If you start singing, your child might even sing along. They will definitely help you play by tossing some stuffed animals overboard to get from ten to one. And then get them back on the bed after the covers are all pulled up! What singing fun!

How to Teach “Ten in the Bed” – VIDEO


One Two Buckle My Shoe

One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Knock at the door;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks;
Seven, eight,
Lay them straight:
Nine, ten,
A big fat hen;

One two buckle my shoe counting song

This Old Man

This old man counting to 10 song

Song with ASL Motions

American Sign Language counting video. Wonderful way to teach kids counting to ten in American Sign Language.


The Ants Go Marching

the ants go marching counting song for kids

Ants Finger Puppet Craft for Kids


Other Fun Counting Songs

Bell Horses

I love teaching Bell Horses because there are other skills kids are learning besides counting, like ringing the bells while we sing the lyrics and then freezing (STOP!) while we count. You may have to demonstrate this, and actually teach the kids how to ring and freeze. It’s really a lot of fun to have them watch y ou and freeze when you freeze! If we are also marching while we sing and ring, we freeze that too! This is so much fun for kids and it requires that they pay attention.

bell horses lyrics

Bell Horses Ringing Demonstration – VIDEO

Here is a short demonstration of how we ring the bells while we sing and FREEZE! (or stop ringing) while we count. I always encourage kids to march while we sing and FREEZE (no moving at all) while we count. I do however, encourage them to count their fingers if the bells are on their wrists… so technically that is moving, but it’s not moving their feet!


Fingerplay Counting Activities

Here is the Beehive

Here is the Beehive is a counting rhyme that counts to five. It really doesn’t have a melody, but you could easily sing a sol-mi type of melody to the rhyme. This nursery rhyme is fun because at the end of the song you can buzzzzz….. and tickle a child under the chin with your fingers. Kids love little tickle rhymes and often beg for them over and over again.

I also created a little bumble bee music activity /piano improvisation page for preschoolers. If you are interested in this little piano activity, or the DIY Mother’s Day piano activity I have created, follow the links on this page!

here is the beehive kids counting song

Here is the Beehive – VIDEO


This Little Piggy

While not an official counting song, “This Little Piggy” offers the opportunity for counting. There are other nursery rhymes that also can be adapted to counting as well. Once you get done wiggling the toes with the rhyme, go back and wiggle each toe and count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

this little piggy nursery rhyme with counting

One Potato Two Potato

one potato two potato

One Potato Two Potatoes
One potato two potatoes
Three potatoes, four!
Five potatoes, six potatoes
Seven potatoes, more!


To count to ten add:
Eight potatoes, nine potatoes, ten potatoes all!


Five Fat Sausages

Five fat sausages sizzling in a pan,
(Hold up five fingers)
All of a sudden one went “BANG!”
(Clap hands loudly)

Four fat sausages sizzling in a pan,
(Hold up four fingers)
All of a sudden one went “BANG!”

Three fat sausages sizzling in a pan,
(Hold up three fingers)
All of a sudden one went “BANG!”

Two fat sausages sizzling in a pan,
(Hold up two fingers)
All of a sudden one went “BANG!”

One fat sausage, sizzling in a pan,
(Hold up one finger)
All of a sudden it went “Bang!”
And there were NO sausages left!
(No fingers left up)

five fat sausages counting nursery rhyme

Other songs kids can add numbers to

Finger Family Check out this link. While there is no actual counting in the song itself, it offers imagery that you can springboard from and then count the family members. Plus you use your hands, so counting is natural using fingers.

Baa Baa Black Sheep This song offers counting, 1, 2, 3 for the very youngest of children. It’s also an easy song for kids to learn because it shares the same melody as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Mary Had a Little Lamb You can change the lyrics in this song to “Mary had some little lambs” and teach counting to various numbers of sheep.

Conclusion

I hope you find this list useful. Select your favorites and create some learning opportunities for your child.

And while you are at it, grab my printable, “Counting Songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers”. In this printable you will find lyrics that you can use to help teach counting to your kids. Printables give parents and teachers confidence to teach these songs and will help you bring these songs to life! They encourage imagination, movement, motor skills, and so much more!

Join the Music Time Kid Community and get a FREE copy of this downloadable Counting Songs Booklet!

All of the songs from this blog post are included in the printable.

Best Friends Forever: Preschool Friendship Activities for Kids

Let’s explore preschool friendship activities and discuss how to foster friendship in your child’s life.

How do you teach friendship to preschoolers?

preschool friendship activities

The best way to teach friendship to a preschooler is by modelling being a good friend to someone. By following their parents’ lead, preschoolers will see the benefit of making friends and learn what it means to be a good friend.

Encourage your child to show love and kindness in the way they play with other children. Make sure you give them plenty of opportunities to form friendships by inviting friends over for playdates or going on excursions together as a family. Helping others is one of the best ways preschoolers can learn how to be a good friend, so make sure they know that kindness is contagious.

Why is friendship important in early childhood?

preschool friendship activities

Young children may not have school friends if they do not go to preschool or daycare. So parents can encourage friendship building and help their child develop social skills by participating in other kinds of small groups and activities. Even kids with school friends benefit from these kind of activities away from school or daycare.

Perhaps you are an at home parent, work at home parent, or a home educator. Maybe you are a preschool teacher, or work with preschoolers in any capacity. Whatever your situation is… as an adult around preschool kids, you have the opportunity to help them develop friendships and foster their social development.

One of the most important things preschoolers need to learn is how to relate with others. Friendships are important because they help preschoolers feel a sense of belonging and acceptance, as well as give them the opportunity to explore their own identity.

Friendship also helps children develop empathy skills which means that your preschooler may be more likely to share or play nice if he has friends around.

Preschoolers need to learn that kindness is contagious.

What are some ways preschoolers can show love and kindness?

There are many ways preschoolers can show love and kindness to their friends. One way is by being compassionate–a preschooler may want a friend to feel better when they’re upset. They may offer a hug or share a toy.

A preschooler may have difficulty sharing, but sharing something with a friend may be the thing that really helps a friend. It’s best if the child knows that it is temporary and the friend won’t keep the toy, but sharing the best one of his favorite toys or a snack really demonstrates love.

preschool friendship activities are fun

Another way preschoolers can show love and kindness is by being respectful of others’ feelings–if one preschooler likes what the other preschooler has, the first preschooler could ask if he/she can borrow it for awhile instead of taking it without permission. This can also be a difficult thing for a child to learn, but it is so beneficial in the long run in developing kindness.

What makes a good friend in the early years?

Preschool friendship activities are dependent upon the stages of play that toddlers progress through. Take a peek into the stages of play that toddlers go through in order to better understand how they form friendships. Toddler play can be divided into four stages that provide opportunities for parents and other caregivers to nurture age-appropriate skills: 

Solitary Play

The first stage of play (from a few months old to about 18 months old) is when one child plays alone. They do not want to interact with other children. They have a preference for toys that involve sound, lights, or things to mouth. They enjoy watching toys fall on the ground when they are playing with containers which have many different pieces in them (blocks, small dolls, toy cars). Babies and toddlers also like to play games where they can put things in containers and take them out again.

Babies first start playing with toys alone.  They do not interact with other children.  They explore toys.

Parallel Play

When a child is 18 to 36 months old, he or she may be able to start playing with other children. They will not know how to play with other younger children very well. This is called parallel play. It can happen when two children are using the same toy or game and do not interact much with each other. When a child starts playing more often with others, he or she learns that it can be fun to pass things back and forth and see it’s a fun way to play together.

Symbolic Play

Symbolic play is when kids pretend that things are other things. For example, they might pretend that a basket of balls is apples from an imaginary tree. Kids this age usually do this around 3 or 4 years old. This way, the child can understand and communicate about the world around them better because of their basic symbolic concepts. Toys that are appropriate for this stage include baby dolls, stuffed animals, doctor kits, and dress-up clothes.

preschool friendship activities

Cooperative Play

Cooperative play is when one or two children work together, and they pretend to do things that adults, family members, and children do in real life. One example of this is when all the children pick a situation to act out. For instance they may dress up in a fire fighter costume, get into a paper box fire engine, drive fast to an emergency, and put out a fire or save a kitten who couldn’t get down from a tree.

Each child is unique and their age will dictate the type of fun activities they engage in. In addition to considering your toddler’s temperaments, it’s important that you also spend time playing with them because this teaches skills such as sharing and turn-taking which are integral for a successful social life later on.

How do you nurture friendships for children?

Model how to take turns and play with toys that build cooperation in preschoolers.

Toddlers are in their own little world. Their social skills can be lacking and it is important for them to not only have an understanding of the way society works, but also make friends as they grow up. To help toddlers enjoy each other’s company more than just playing together or fighting over toys, parents can promote preschool friendship activities with a few steps that will improve toddler relationships with others: 

-Find activities both kids like. Does your child’s friend play with legos or trains or mermaids? Find preschool activities that will help them develop into being good friends.

-Give children the opportunity to make friends by taking your kids to places other children are. Story time at a local library or community family events are great places to meet people. You can set up play dates with potential playmates. If you see a child that your preschooler gets along with well, ask if they want to be friends!

In order to nurture preschool friendships, it’s important that preschoolers are given plenty of opportunities to form friendships. Parents should remain positive and supportive of preschool friendships, while ensuring that preschoolers know the importance of being a good friend to others. I have to admit, my best friend from Kindergarten is still a good friend today. So these friendships may last a lifetime.

Preschool friendship activities improve these social skills

preschool friendship activities

Sharing

At the age of two, children might be willing to share a snack with their friends. However, by the time they’re three or four years old and have better grasp on how things work in society, many kids are not ready to part with what little resources they possess such as half a chocolate chip cookie because it means that there’s less for them. Kids might readily give up something like an outgrown toy but refuse when it’s something they really want for themselves. But if you take away one toy which they’re no longer interested in playing with and ask them about sharing again–they’ll likely agree!

Cooperation

Cooperation is an important skill that young children can start developing by as early as three and a half years old. This allows them to work with peers on common goals, such the building of towers or playing games where everyone has to participate. Cooperation empowers kids in two ways: it gives some leadership opportunities while other feel more comfortable following instructions from someone else’s lead – all depending on their personality type. This can be an opportunity for self-discovery!

Manners

Manners matter. Whether you’re at the dinner table, in a classroom full of kids and teachers, or just playing with friends. One of the most important things you can do for your child is teach them to say please and thank you when they ask for something. This will help them be polite and respectful, so that adults are happy to give them what they want.

Practice manners by using stuffed animals to act out stories where one character is kind towards another. Keep it fun so that your children remember this lesson! If you see your child use a magic word like “thank you” then make sure to reward their good behavior by acknowledging them.

Personal Space

Some kids do not like to be close to other people. Other kids crawl into the laps of strangers. It is important to teach children about personal space. This is so they do not make other people feel uncomfortable.

Create rules for the house that teach kids to respect other people’s personal space. If your child grabs things out of people’s hands or pushes when impatient, establish consequences. If your child climbs into the laps of acquaintances or stands too close to people while talking, use it as a teachable moment. Take your child aside and provide some coaching about personal space issues.

toys that encourage friendship

What are some preschool friendship activities that can improve social skills?

-The preschool “show and tell” is a great activity to introduce kids to social skills.

-Use a single toy and have preschoolers take turns playing with it.

-Read friendship stories.

-Encourage kids to help each other complete tasks, such as building towers out of blocks or putting away toys while teaching them about the process: “You put one block on top.”

-Pretend play, which often involves cooperation or sharing resources with peers in the game can teach preschoolers valuable lessons about expressing feelings of empathy for others as well.

-Encourage time together outside of school hours for preschool friends to do an extra curricular or hobby that you know both kids enjoy. For example, if two children love playing soccer together, plan a playdate at the nearby park and bring their gear!

-Discuss the importance of kindness, empathy and manners with preschoolers.

-Model these behaviors by being thoughtful about how your own words or actions might affect others. For example, if you want to talk on a phone call while grocery shopping but there is someone waiting for an aisle so they can buy their groceries, apologize that you need to continue your call and step aside so that they can move forward, or tell them you’ll be done in a moment.

What are some creative toys that encourage preschooler friendship?

Toddlers need ways to express themselves creatively. Creative activities like building with blocks or drawing can help toddlers develop social skills such as turn taking and sharing. Parents can encourage preschooler creativity by introducing new and different toys to their child’s play space like a shape sorter, small doll house or art supplies.

Some toys that I recommend that you can use to create friendship themed activities to help preschoolers learn with a friend:

Musical Instrument Sets

Duplo Blocks

Basic Wooden Blocks

Play-Doh

Stuffed Animals

friendship activities that promote sharing

Ideas for preschool friendship activities

There are lots of fun things preschool children can do together. These are just a few ideas to get you going:

Pretend Play

Provide opportunities for pretending with puppets, dress up clothes, boxes that can become rocket ships, trucks, rooms, and more.

Music

Sing, dance or play musical instruments together. Find ways to help one another and be a good friend

Show and Tell

Each child gets to show the other children something. This is a chance for each child to practice good social skills. Be sure and have enough things for everyone so no one will feel left out if they forget their favorite toy or book.

Arts & Crafts

Make art projects together like finger paint, coloring and drawing, and other messy and fun activities.

Tea Party

Share snacks or meals in the same chair so that you’re sitting side by side.

Indoor Picnic

Invite friends over for an indoor picnic. Pack sandwiches in a picnic basket and set the table ware on a blanket.

Cooperative Games

Play cooperative games like tag, hide and seek, patty cake, scavenger hunt, and musical chairs.


Fun ways to celebrate friendship and plan a friendship theme party at home

If you plan a friendship preschool theme party you can let children decorate and plan the preschool friendship activities for the party. Ideas to include:

friendship bracelets

Let children cut and color squares to make a friendship quilt. This can be done with construction paper and papers can be taped to the wall.

Sing favorite songs and use fun songs with actions to dance and have fun!

Literacy activities include reading friendship stories and picture books like:

Encourage play that requires cooperation like building blocks, racing through an obstacle course, or a scavenger hunt.

What happens if preschool friends argue with one another?

If your preschool friend is mad at you, it’s important to understand that preschoolers are still developing their understanding of feelings. The best way to deal with this is by listening and trying not to interrupt or argue back.

– make up games like “let’s forget about the argument”

– brainstorm ways they could be friends again

– say sorry first so your preschool friend knows you’re sorry too

– take turns and be the first to say something nice

– try a hug again when preschool friends are mad at each other.

These don’t always work, but they can help.

What if preschoolers feel lonely?

Feeling lonely is very normal for preschool children, so it’s important that we help them know they’re not alone. Reassure preschoolers that they are loved and cared for, by making time to be with them or doing a special activity just the two of you can do together.

What happens when a child loses a friend because families move or a loved one dies?

This can be a very difficult time for friends, and it may take them a while to adjust. Encourage your child by being sensitive about their feelings. Kids might not always want to talk about these feelings. Offer support when needed. Make sure you’re there for the child if he or she needs someone to listen to them.

I recently had a young friend move. He was four years old. He had been in my early childhood preschool music classes since he was a baby. We were both sad (and happy) and his move. So I wrote this song about friendship and moving. I find music is the universal language and speaks that to which there are no words. I hope this song helps you if you ever find yourself in this position too.

Conclusion

A preschooler’s friendships will grow and change throughout their preschool years. It is important for a preschooler to have friends. Help them get friends by being a good friend too – be kind, helpful, generous, and forgiving of others. Have fun together as much as you can! What your friends should know is that they are growing and changing with time.

Resource for Parents

I love finding resources to help me in my parenting journey. This book may be helpful if you are looking for ideas in raising kids who are kind and respectful to others.

Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through the link, I may make a small commission at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting my blog.

50 Gentle Sleeping Songs for Kids

50+ recordings for parents and kids

sleeping songs for kids

Children have busy lives and often have difficulty calming their minds to fall asleep. Music is so very beneficial to help kids relax and go to sleep. There are lots of music videos available, but maybe you noticed that they all sound the same?

As an early childhood educator, I love to curate amazing music. I know it is hard to find gentle songs that have beautiful melodies and orchestration. Everything seems to sound the same.

This article will provide you with over 50 Youtube recordings you’ve probably ever heard before that you can use to build personalized content for your kids. If there is an Amazon link, I will also provide that in case you want to build a playlist on your device that is not contingent upon being online.

Enjoy these gentle sleeping songs for kids!

(Note: There may be affiliate links which means if you make a purchase through my link, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support my blog… Thank you!)

Calm Kid Music for Parents (One Hour)

From my Music Time Kid Youtube channel and Post “What are Lullabies that Calm and Put Your Baby to Sleep“.

Peaceful Music for Sleep 30 minutes

Beautiful View of the Night Sky with Relaxing Music Sounds

Peaceful Autumn Forest Piano Relaxing Music for Sleep

Tuck Me Into Bed

Afro Cuban Lullaby (with Nature Sounds)

Afro Cuban Lullaby by Richard Patterson, guitar

Clair de Lune

Clair de Lune by Debussy, performed by Amy Turk, harp

Zelda’s Lullaby (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time)

Zelda’s Lullaby by Amy Turk, harp

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh Theme Song, arranged and performed by kno

Give Me Your Hand / La Valse Pour Les Petites Jeunes Filles

Give Me Your Hand by George Winston, piano

How to Train Your Dragon – Romantic Flight

Romantic Flight from How to Train Your Dragon, performed by Beyond the Guitar

Listen, The Flute Sighs Again (Hungary)

Listen, the Flute Sighs Again from the Album, Les Berceuses de Coline by Nadia Birkenstock, harp

Staring at the Moon

Staring at the Moon (from the Album, Hush Little Baby) by Lullaby Music

A La Source

A La Source from the Album, Whispering Woods – Celtic Harp Solos by Nadia Birkenstock, harp

Thanks A Lot

Thanks A Lot by Raffi mp3

Remember Me

Remember Me (lullaby version) from Coco, performed by Beyond the Guitar

No Ke Ano Ahiahi

No Ke Ano Ahiahi (traditional Hawaiian song) performed by George Winston, piano

Gold Dream

Gold Dream from the Album Lullaby Africa

Skye Boat Song

Skye Boat Song from the Album, Lullaby Baby, Vol .2

Annie’s Song

Annie’s Song by John Denver, performed on harp by Jodi Ann Tolman

3 Beautiful Dreamworks Themes on Guitar

3 Beautiful Dreamworks Themes on Guitar, performed by Beyond the Guitar

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast by Alan Menken, performed by Amy Turk, harp

Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved (from Kingdom Hearts) performed by Beyond the Guitar

Lullaby Land

Lullaby Land performed by Linda Arnold

Wildflowers

Wildflowers (from the Album Unveiled) Stanton Lanier, piano

This Little Light of Mine

This Little Light of Mine by Elizabeth Mitchell mp3

Narnia Lullaby – native american meditation flute (Indianerflöte)

Beethoven Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven Moonlight Sonata lullaby version from the Album, Classical Lullabies by The Kiboomers

Pachelbel’s Canon in D

Pachelbel’s Canon in D

Dream (Hush, Little Baby)

Baby Mine

Baby Mine (from Dumbo) Cherish Tuttle, piano

Take Me Home, Country Roads

Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver, performed by Beyond the Guitar

The Cradle

The Cradle (from the Album Forest), George Winston, piano

Goodnight Irene

Goodnight Irene by Elizabeth Mitchell mp3

A Beautiful Thing

A Beautiful Thing (from the Album, So Loved) Stanton Lanier, piano

Rainbow Connection

Rainbow Connection (from the Album Disney Lullaby & Goodnight)

All the Pretty Horses

All the Pretty Horses performed by Linda Arnold

Lullaby Flute Song

Lullaby Flute Song from the Album, Native Moon by Sleep Tribe

Gymnopedie No. 1

Gymnopedie No. 1 by Satie, performed by Amy Turk, harp

Slack Key Lullabye

Slack Key Lullabye by Ledward Ka’apana

You’ll Be in My Heart

You’ll Be in My Heart (from the Album Disney Lullaby & Goodnight)

Japanese Music Box (Itsuki No Komoriuta)

Japanese Music Box (from the Album, Forest) George Winston, piano

Prelude No. 1 in C Major BWV 846 by J. S. Bach

J.S. Bach Prelude No. 1 in C Major BWV 846, performed by Amy Turk, harp

Kumbaya

Kumbaya by Susie Tallman

Blackwood Lullabye

Water Dance

Water Dance by Raffi mp3

Greensleeves

Greensleeves

Brahm’s Lullaby

Brahm’s Lullaby, harp by Jodi Ann Tolman

Sunshine on My Shoulders

Sunshine on My Shoulders by John Denver, performed on harp by Jodi Ann Tolman

Morning Has Broken

Morning Has Broken (from the Album Disney Lullaby & Goodnight)

Suo Gan

Suo Gan performed on harp by Jodi Ann Tolman

All Through the Night

All Through the Night performed by Linda Arnold

Love Me Tender

Love Me Tender (from the Album Disney Lullaby & Goodnight)

When You Wish Upon a Star

When You Wish Upon a Star, Dave Niskin, guitar

A River Flows in You

A River Flows in You by Yiruma, performed on harp by Jodi Ann Tolman

Goodnight

Goodnight performed by Linda Arnold

The Rising Moon (Germany)

The Rising Moon from the Album, Les Berceuses de Coline by Nadia Birkenstock, harp

Song of Time (Music from the Legend of Zelda – Full Album)

Song of Time Complete Album performed by Amy Turk, harp

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Can Preschoolers Play Songs on Piano?

play songs on piano

Yes! Preschoolers can play songs on the piano. Most kids at this age are not able to play basic chords, but they can play melodies with their left hand or right hand. They are eager to learn piano and try to figure out how to play easy piano songs they already know. So let’s take a look at preschool piano playing to discover ways you can help your preschooler play the piano today!

What piano playing skills do preschoolers have?

  1. Eagerness to learn – More than anything else, the desire to play easy piano songs means kids can learn!
  2. Seeing patterns – Preschoolers are taught to see patterns in math and this translates well to piano
  3. Gross motor skills – Moving their body, stepping, moving arms to the beat of a song, and clapping rhythms are all things preschoolers love to do!
  4. Fine motor skills – Kids are developing their fine motor skills at this age. So often kids will play piano with whatever fingers they have that will work for them. This is fine. As they learn piano, more fingers will strengthen and will get used.
  5. Learning to differentiate the right hand and left hand – Often when kids start playing piano they have trouble differentiating the left hand from the right. It’s okay. We can find ways to help them with this at this age.
  6. Listening ear – When kids play easy piano songs they already know, like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, their ear will help guide them to play. Sometimes they may need to figure one note out and their ear may help them hear if the note should be higher or lower. Playing easy piano songs kids know is so helpful in the beginning.
  7. One finger – Kids always have one finger they can play piano with. In fact, several of the first handful of songs I teach only use the pointer finger. This let’s kids focus on other things than the fact that their fingers need to exercise more.
  8. Imagination – Kids love to pretend and use their imagination all the time. Creativity is so important. Playing their own songs is good practice right from the start. I’ve never had a piano student give up once they have become a master of playing their own compositions!
play songs on piano with one finger

A few songs most preschoolers know

Pop Songs

Kids are always eager to play a favorite popular song that they know. Kids today love the “Baby Shark” song

Traditional Songs and Nursery Rhymes

Happy Birthday

Jingle Bells

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Patriotic Songs

Yankee Doodle

5 Easy songs to learn with one finger on the piano for beginners

Because learning piano finger numbers may be difficult for preschoolers, here are one finger songs. And if you are interested in learning how to teach “rote music” to a beginner check out my youtube video. (That means teaching by imitation without reading any sheet music).

Hot Cross Buns

This song is great to teach on the group of three black notes or on the white keys C-D-E. The video below has a fun learning activity with a free pdf download for “Sweet Treat Cards” which provide other words to this song. The cards are a fun springboard into getting kids to be creative!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Kids love the Mixed-Up Little Star activity that is linked in the video below. Without actually making up their own song, kids can mix up the melody to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, creating their own song. It’s lots of fun!

Itsy Bitsy Spider

This article provides lots of ideas for teaching Itsy Bitsy Spider song.. The sheet music provides music alphabet letters so kids can learn to play the notes to this song without actually reading rhythmic notes. This simplifies the learning in the very beginning!

Charlie the Chipmunk

Learn this song by rote and then teach it to your child! I love using videos for reminders. It helps you remember where to place your hand on the piano and which piano notes were played.

I Love Coffee

Your child may not know this song, but I guarantee it will become a favorite! Playing one note at a time, this song has lots of little patterns using black key/white key patterns that make it easy to learn. Practice only one part at a time. Only add an additional part when the previous part is securely learned! (BONUS: the little ending of each part is the same, always ending on the black note f-sharp).


What kind of sheet music is right for preschoolers?

It depends upon each child. I have taught so many preschoolers and each child is unique. Some kids have a difficult time sitting still long enough to play a one finger song at the piano, while others are mastering note reading and playing from books. And remember, a preschooler’s attention span is the same number of minutes as their age. So don’t expect practice sessions to last more than 5-10 minutes at a time.

You definitely can’t go wrong by making music reading fun and easy for kids. So no matter what abilities your child has, please let them have fun. Don’t push progress too fast at the expense of your child’s enjoyment. I’ve seen kids quit because playing the piano was too hard, and even later, they never got over the fact that piano was just too hard.

So knowing that kids this age are still pre-readers, let’s just say, you can’t go wrong offering them rote music (teaching by imitation), pre-reading music which includes music alphabet sheet music, play by color song sheets, play by finger numbers (which assumes kids know finger numbers and where to place their hands on the piano), and pre-reading notes with rhythm notes.

I have taught from all of these kinds of music pages and it’s okay to mix, match, jumble it up, and find what works. As long as the song is something a child already knows, learning a song off a page of music usually works pretty well with adult help.

I feel strongly about NOT pushing note reading at this age when there are still so many fun activities kids can have that lay a great foundation for learning to read notes on the staff in a few years. Check out this easy preschool piano lesson game here.

Why is listening to music so important?

Kids can easily learn songs they already know. So when they begin piano lessons they take right off playing songs like Mary Had a Little Lamb on the black keys, learning finger exercises, finding different five finger notes in C Major, playing piano games and more.

But when they begin to learn to read sheet music and advance to higher levels many kids hit a roadblock because they are now learning to play unfamiliar music and classical music. Many kids have never listened to this kind of music, and unfamiliar music isn’t as easy to play.

Let’s fix that! I can recommend songs your kids should be exposed to while they are still young. This is just the tip of an iceberg, but it’s a great place to start,

Listen to these songs long before your child is ready to start playing them

This is a plethora of music links. Add some to your child’s playlist. Play the songs in the car, while you are sitting quietly doing other things, or before it’s time to go to sleep. Then when your child is older, they will KNOW these songs too and not only popular songs!

Bach’s Prelude in C Major

Bach’s Prelude in C Major is a study of chords. Once kids learn how to play chords, this song becomes easy to learn because it is made up entirely of broken chords (notes of a chord played one at a time). Because the rhythm is so repetitive through out the song older kids can to play this piece. It is completely composed of basic chords.

This version is a harp sound version and is a wonderful addition to a naptime playlist.

Here is even a guitar version of this song. You will see that the right thumb always plays the first note of the chord and the other fingers play the other pieces of the chord. I think this tune sounds just beautiful on the guitar too!

Bobby McFerrin jazz version is where he is actually singing the broken chords! This is a fun video to listen to!

Mozart Sonata in C K.545 (Allegro)

This version is set to a forest sound background and a quieter, almost harp like quality. Perfect for adding to a naptime playlist.

This version is also soft and harp like.

Handel

This is one of my favorite newer arrangements of Handel’s Suite No. 7, g minor, HWV 432 (Piano Cover for arrangement by J. Halvorsen)

Handel is well known for his Water Music. This video is Handel’s Water Music for piano.

This has child friendly sounds of Handel’s water music. My kids were well acquainted with this music as they were avid Baby Einstein Music Video lovers.



Beethoven: Für Elise

Fur Elise is one of most loved and favorite songs for piano. Kids love the melody of Fur Elise, and many of my piano students practice hard to get to this level so they can play the whole song.

This version has music box sounds.

Debussy’s Clair de Lune

Kids love the imagery of the moon shining in the night. This song has great potential for extended learning including learning about nocturnal animals and moon phases.

nature sounds and electronic piano version

Here is a lullaby version

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite

Most people think of the Christmas Season when they hear Nutcracker music. I do too! Many of the little songs in the Nutcracker Suite are playable for beginners, so this is a great collection to listen to! Plus there are lot of easy arrangements of sheet music for this music!

This video features nutcracker tunes that sound music box-like. Normally I am not a huge fan of music box music but I think it is a great thing with the nutcracker music.

How can I add classical music to my child’s life?

There are lots of arrangements and performances of old classic piano songs. As you can see above, searching Youtube fives you many piano song variations to choose from. Creating playlists is a wonderful way to add piano songs to your child’s life. Listen in the morning, while you ride in the car, before it is time to sleep, or while you are doing other things as it is great background music.

Listening to music helps babies’ brain development according to Mercy Health website. And it is never too late or too early to begin to incorporate listening to music into your child’s life!

What if my child is still too young?

No worries… all kids are different! If your child is still too young to sit for a few moments and pay attention, then there are so many other kinds of musical activities that you can do with your child to actually prepare your child to play piano. Go to my blog post, “10 Ways to Get Your Child Ready for Piano Lessons.”

And while you are at it… grab my free game below. Piano Race Game is the first game I play with every single piano student. I know your preschooler will love it!

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    Preschool Songs with Actions Boost Brain-Body Connection

    Preschool songs with actions have the ability to boost kids’ brain-body connection. And this is an important part of child development! Let’s explore what it is, why it is important and then get to the action songs you can use to boost the brain-body connection with your toddler or preschooler.

    What is the mind-body connection?

    songs with actions boost brain-body connection

    John Hopkins Medicine has a wonderful article on the connection of the mind and body. You can read more details about that here.
    For the sake of this article, I want to quote these ideas from the article, “Mind-Body Connection is the belief that the causes, development and outcomes of a physical illness are determined from the interaction of psychological, social factors and biological factors.

    Your emotional health includes:
    – your overall psychological well-being;
    – your feelings about yourself;
    – the quality of your relationships, at work and at home;
    – your ability to create and use positive coping skills;
    – your ability to manage your feelings.

    Emotional health can be affected by the stress from both good and bad… It also can be affected by daily routines…”

    Family life is very significant for young children. Making music together as a family can really have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of children. In fact, you’d be surprised how much making music together as a family impacts the emotional well-being of adults, too!

    Why is mind-body connection important for young children?

    Music and movement are both things that directly relate to children’s overall well-being. They both provide creative ways to relieve excess energy, as well as express and manage feelings. While music alone can help soothe or uplift children, the ability to move with music gives kids a positive way to express themselves. When kids sing movement songs they feel good about themselves and for a while they may escape things in their life that negatively impact them.

    preschool songs with actions benefits

    Here is an article that lists 12 benefits action songs have for kids.

    The last four benefits all have to do with emotional wellness: foster self esteem and confidence, encourage creativity, adaptability, and imagination, promote social skills and cooperation, engage children and adults in bonding activities.

    Here is another article that lists 15 Benefits of Music on Kids Health.

    Action songs that encourage mind-body wellness

    I recommend these action songs because they are kids’ favorite songs. They love to sing them over and over and over and that is okay! That is how kids learn. In fact, preschoolers love these songs so much that teachers and parents rarely look further for new material. While I also love the tried and true familiar tunes of childhood, I also like to find more imaginative and creative activities for preschoolers (but that is another post!)

    These songs help kids with awareness of body parts, learning right and left, clapping hands, stomping feet, moving arms, dancing, hopping, and so much more. Kids will be having a blast with these movements they won’t even know they are learning!

    To help you teach this music, I am offering you a free pdf download of these songs. I am also including printable song cards that you can use with your preschooler. As you learn a new song, you can reward your child with a card that they can display or collect. Children are very proud of themselves as they earn these cards. If you are a classroom teacher or daycare provider, you can post each card on the wall as a new song is learned.

    I love to make the most of every teaching experience, so whether you are a parent at home or a preschool teacher, I hope you will find the information in the rest of this blog post, links, enrichment ideas, and videos helpful. I am sure your toddler or preschooler will love this music!

    songs with actions pdf

    Movement Songs Lyrics for Preschoolers

    20 Songs that ENCOURAGE movement and help toddlers and preschoolers develop Brain-Body Connection

    Get this Freebie TODAY!

    PLUS! You will get the printable,
    Baby Animal
    collector song cards!


    20 Songs with Actions Kids Love!

    Help your child with the motions by asking them to do them before you sing the song, and take time as you sing to show them how to do the motions. Kids love to move. They may have trouble at first holding up one finger or one thumb, but they will eventually figure it out. Get out the musical instruments, too! Kids will have so much fun!

    If You’re Happy and You Know It

    If You're Happy and You Know It Action Song

    IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT LYRICS
    if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
    If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)
    If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
    (point to your smile)
    If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)

    with each additional verse add one new motion to the front of all the actions
    If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet. (stomp, stomp)
    If you’re happy and you know it, turn around. (turn around)
    If you’re happy and you know it, shout “HOORAY”

    Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

    Head shoulders knees and toes actions

    HEAD SHOULDERS KNEES AND TOES LYRICS

    Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
    Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes,
    Eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
    Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes.

    The Itsy Bitsy Spider

    itsy bitsy spider

    THE ITSY BITSY SPIDER LYRICS
    The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.
    Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
    Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
    And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.

    The Hokey-Pokey

    hokey pokey action song

    HOKEY-POKEY LYRICS

    You put your right foot in
    You take your right foot out
    You put your right foot in
    And you shake it all about
    You do the hokey pokey
    And you turn yourself around
    That’s what it’s all about

    Sing the song again hanging “right foot” to left foot, and then right hand, left hand, head, and whole self respectively.

    Open Shut Them

    open shut them

    OPEN SHUT THEM LYRICS
    Open, shut them. Open, shut them. (open, close hands)
    Give a little clap. (clap, clap)
    Open, shut them. Open, shut them.
    Lay them in your lap. (fold hands in your lap)
    Creep them, crawl them, creep them, crawl them,
    (crawl fingers up your arm to your mouth)
    Right up to your chin.
    Open wide your little mouth, (open mouth)
    But do not put them in. (quickly run fingers back down arm)

    I’m a Little Teapot

    I'm a little Teapot action song

    I’M A LITTLE TEAPOT LYRICS

    I’m a little teapot, short and stout.
    Here is my handle, here is my spout .
    When I get all steamed up hear me shout
    “Tip me over and pour me out!”

    Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

    Teddy Bear Teddy Bear song

    TEDDY BEAR, TEDDY BEAR LYRICS

    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Turn around!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Touch the ground!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Jump up high!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Touch the sky!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Bend down low!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Touch you toes!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Turn out the light!
    Teddy bear, teddy bear,
    Say good night!

    Wheels on the Bus

    The Wheels on the Bus movement song

    WHEELS ON THE BUS LYRICS

    The wheels on the bus go round and round,
    Round and round, round and round.
    The wheels on the bus go round and round,
    All through the town.
    The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep…
    The doors on the bus go open and shut…
    The windows on the bus go up and down…
    The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish…
    The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah…
    The parents on the bus go “Shhhh, shhhh, shhhh”…

    Looby-Loo

    Looby Loo Music with actions

    LOOBY-LOO LYRICS

    Here we go looby loo.
    Here we go looby light.
    Here we go looby loo.
    All on a Saturday night.
    You put your right hand in.
    You take your right hand out.
    You give your hand a shake, shake, shake.
    And turn yourself about.

    Each verse changes the body part you put in: right hand, left hand, right foot, left foot, head, whole body.

    Where is Thumbkin

    Where is Thumbkin music and movement

    WHERE IS THUMBKIN LYRICS

    Where is thumbkin?
    Where is thumbkin?
    Here I am (bring out one thumb)
    Here I am (bring out the other thumb)
    How are you today sir?
    (make thumb talk to other thumb when singing that line)
    Very well, I thank you (and vice versa with this thumb)
    Run away (put one thumb back behind your back)
    Run away (put the other thumb back behind your back)
    Additional verses:
    Where is pointer…
    Where is tall man…
    Where is ring man…
    Where is pinky

    Bell Horses

    Action songs bell horses

    BELL HORSES LYRICS

    Bell horses, bell horses
    what’s the time of day?
    One o’clock, two o’clock
    time to go away. (repeat)

    One, two, three, four
    Jingle; jingle, jingle more
    Five, six, seven, eight
    Jingle, jingle don’t be late. (repeat)

    Bell horses, bell horses
    what’s the time of day?
    One o’clock, two o’clock
    time to go away. (repeat)

    Mulberry Bush

    actions songs mulberry bush

    MULBERRY BUSH LYRICS

    Here we go round the mulberry bush,
    The mulberry bush,
    The mulberry bush.
    Here we go round the mulberry bush
    On a cold and frosty morning.

    The is the Way

    This is the way movement song

    THIS IS THE WAY LYRICS

    sung to the same tune as The Mulberry Bush

    This is the way we clap our hands,
    clap our hands, clap our hands,
    This is the way we clap our hands,
    All day long.

    repeat with other motions like stomp our feet, touch our nose, etc.

    Ring Around the Rosie

    ring around the rosie action song

    RING AROUND THE ROSIE LYRICS

    Ring around the rosie,
    A pocket full of posies,
    Ashes! Ashes!
    We all fall down

    Pop! Goes the Weasel

    action songs pop goes the weasel

    POP! GOES THE WEASEL LYRICS

    All around the mulberry bush
    The monkey chased the weasel
    The monkey thought it was all in good fun
    Pop! goes the weasel.

    A penny for a spool of thread
    A penny for a needle
    That’s the way the money goes
    Pop! goes the weasel.

    Do Your Ears Hang Low?

    do your ears hang low song

    DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW LYRICS

    Do your ears hang low?
    Do they wobble to and fro?
    Can you tie ’em in a knot?
    Can you tie ’em in a bow?
    Can you throw ’em o’er your shoulder
    Like a Continental soldier
    Do your ears hang low?

    Row, Row, Row Your Boat

    row row row your boat movement

    ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT LYRICS

    (have child sit facing you and gently pull their hands towards you and away from you like you’re rowing)

    Row, row, row your boat
    Gently down the stream
    Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
    Life is but a dream.

    Five Green and Speckled Frogs

    five green and speckled frogs finger play

    FIVE GREEN AND SPECKLED FROGS LYRICS

    Five Green and Speckled Frogs
    Five green and speckled frogs, sitting on a speckled log
    (hold up five fingers)
    Eating some most delicious bugs… yum, yum!
    (rub stomach)
    One jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool
    (make one finger jump and move down)
    Now there are four speckled frogs…..
    (hold up four fingers)
    Four green and speckled frogs…
    Three green and speckled frogs…
    Two green and speckled frogs…
    One green and speckled frog, sitting on a speckled log
    Eating some most delicious bugs… yum, yum!
    One jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool
    Now there are no g

    B-I-N-G-O

    bingo clap song

    BINGO LYRICS
    (Clap when you see *)

    There was a farmer had a dog
    And Bingo was his name-oh.
    B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O,
    And Bingo was his name-oh.

    There was a farmer had a dog
    And Bingo was his name-oh.
    *-I-N-G-O, *-I-N-G-O, *-I-N-G-O,
    and Bingo was his name-oh.

    Continue removing one letter
    *-*-N-G-O
    *-*-*-G-O
    *-*-*-*-O
    *-*-*-*-
    *–8

    Did You Ever See a Lassie?

    did you ever see a lassie

    DID YOU EVER SEE A LASSIE LYRICS

    Did you ever see a lassie,
    A lassie, a lassie?
    Did you ever see a lassie,
    Go this way and that?
    Go this way and that way,
    Go this way and that way.
    Did you ever see a lassie,
    Go this way and that?
    Did you ever see a laddie,
    A laddie, a laddie?
    Did you ever see a laddie,
    Go this way and that?
    Go this way and that way,
    Go this way and that way.
    Did you ever see a laddie,
    Go this way and that?


    Kids Activities You Can Use with an Action Song

    Whenever possible I like to “extend the lesson” with kids activities and get the most mileage out of teaching each and every song. So I want to share more ideas on how you can teach more learning concepts at the same time.

    Musical Instruments

    Whenever possible use some musical instruments! Kids love to dance and ring bells, shake maracas or tambourines, or play a drum.

    Puppets

    Finger puppets and larger hand size puppets encourage the imagination and make play time even more fun. You will find many illustrated story-song books in the public library that a puppet can sing to a toddler or preschooler. (hint: even bigger kids love puppets!)

    Stuffed Animals

    I love using stuffed animals while singing with kids. It’s hard for them to sit still. So holding an animal gives their fingers something to do. I often bounce a stuffed animal to the beat of the song. While they watch me, of course, kids will copy what I am doing and this helps them learn to feel a steady beat.

    Props

    Build a prop box that can accompany a short music time. Kids love to play pretend. Hats, costumes, jackets, coats, boots, scarves, etc. all make music time more interesting. Toddler songs are filled with easy repetitive words and acting those words out with props is definitely fun child play.

    Story Books

    Like I mentioned, there are numerous illustrators who have created beautiful picture books using these familiar children’s melodies. You can not only sing as you turn the pages, but go back and really look at the pictures. Increase your child’s vocabulary by talking about the pictures. Is that monkey hopping? jumping? dancing? singing? wiggling? Use descriptive words as you look at the pages.

    More Songs with Actions that I Love!

    There is so much great action music available for kids these days. Here are more wonderful action songs that are less familiar. For these movement songs I will provide Youtube links so you can add them to your playlist. These are fun songs that I regularly include in early childhood music classes or preschool classes I teach at a daycare. I often use musical instruments along with motions so go ahead and add a few. Kids love them!

    Everybody clap your hands

    Tap it on your head

    Shake my sillies out

    Bunny hop

    Roly poly

    One little finger

    Egg shakin’ blues

    Peekaboo by super simple songs

    Wake up toes

    music and movement

    Free PDF

    Action Songs for Preschoolers

    20 Songs that ENCOURAGE movement and help toddlers and preschoolers develop Brain-Body Connection

    Get this Freebie TODAY!

    PLUS! You will get the printable,
    Baby Animals
    collector song cards!

    Imaginative Fall Songs for Preschoolers

    imaginative fall songs for prescoholers

    Fall songs for preschoolers that are imaginative and not “more cute fall songs” that are focused on leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows, squirrels, or an apple tree.

    Imaginative music is music you can use alongside other autumn songs to spark kids’ creativity. Use these songs with story books, puppets, crafts, and other toys. Create actions and movement as you play the music. Your preschoolers will love this!

    Use your imagination

    fall songs for preschoolers

    Sometimes we can get into a rut of spoon feeding everything to children. So I strive to help kids develop their creativity and use their imaginations. It’s kind of obvious that fall is about falling leaves, orange pumpkins, grey squirrels, apple songs, and singing a little scarecrow song. So instead of singing these cutesy songs, let’s create music and listen to music that gets us to use our imaginations and think “about” these ideas.

    Let’s find music that get us to imagine a train ride in the fall countryside, or a river flowing along a mountain, or climbing up on a big boulder. Can you see the leaves change color? Brown. Yellow. Red. The seasons are around us as we adventure outside!

    The songs below will help you put a fresh spin and enrich your fall activities. In addition, I will link to quality books and other crafts that I find for fun learning extensions, that you can use with these songs.

    Preschoolers learn as they play, sing, read, dance, ceate, imagine, and more. See how many activities you can create with this autumn music! Leave me a comment below if you are glad you found this blog post and it helped you!

    Create opportunities to move and dance

    Music can change the atmosphere in your home. Music can bring more joy into your everyday. Play music in the morning when your own kids are waking up and see what a difference it makes to the beginning of the day. Sometimes when I look for songs for kids, I find that the music is really almost more “songs for parents” because it really uplifts their energy and mood, too!

    Moving to music in the morning is especially appealing to young children and playing great music also provides more benefits for kids than you can imagine.

    autumn leaves fall songs

    Preschool teachers and daycare providers can play these songs in the background, or use one during circle time or craft time.

    Disclaimer: Some links in this blog post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my link, I may make a small commission at no extra expense to you. This helps support my blog. Thank you!

    Autumn Tree Songs

    I Had a Little Nut Tree

    Instead of singing an apple tree song, try this little nut tree by Lisa Loeb. You can bring a little squirrel into the picture by imagining a squirrel busily looking for, finding, and picking up acorns to stash in winter hideaways. How many little acorns can he find? Wonderful circle time song!

    Autumn Songs Tree Activities

    This fall scavenger hunt by Teaching Mama is a wonderful resource to go outside and find some autumn leaves, nut trees, and other pieces of autumn nature!

    Here is a counting with acorns activity by Play and Learn Every Day.

    Fall Leaves In and Out Activity by Still Playing School is a wonderful activity that shouldn’t require that you purchase anything at all. Re-use a diaper wipe container and collect pretty leaves. Great for preschool education on a budget!

    Fall Leaves Quiet Book Page by Teach Me Mommy uses felt, pipe cleaners, scissors and glue. This is a nice craft for developing fine motor skills.

    A thankful tree printable by Teaching Mama is also wonderful to extend fall into the thanksgiving season.

    Here We Go Around the Mulberry Bush

    So a bush isn’t exactly a tree, but they can grow very big and some bushes have amazing fall colors! Of course this music is great for movement and you can imagine a different kind of bush, like a burning bush whose leaves turn bright orange, yellow red and brown in the fall.

    Leaf Little Leaf

    Leaf Little Leaf is by Music Box Kids. I love to use a scarf with this music. I really believe kids learn best with motion, so taking a scarf, lifting it high, and letting it drop to the ground shows children how leaves are falling down.

    Thankful Songs for Fall

    Thanks Alot

    Raffi does such an amazing job weaving the imagery of the outdoors into his music. He sings about the clouds, sky, wind, birds, moon, stars, and more. While there are many challenges in life, there is always so many things to be thankful for. “Thanks Alot” pairs well with the thankful tree printable mentioned above.

    Thanksgiving Song

    Autumn Dance Songs

    Music and movement are so important for kids’ development. Here are some great ideas for fall!

    Hey Bo Diddley

    by Elizabeth Mitchell

    Hey Bo Diddley is based on the tune and lyrics from the “Mockingbird” lullaby. This music just puts you into a good mood! Be sure to put some shakers into your kids hands as they move to the beat!

    Jumping Jack

    by Laurie Berkner

    Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

    Extra motions in this version of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes by The Learning Station will literally keep kids on their toes! Make sure to practice the beginning part… knocking on a door, come in, open the door, and take a big spin, slap your heels and slap your knees. This song will especially appeal to preschool kids who love a movement challenge!

    Parents and teachers can turn this into a fall song by becoming a scarecrow or dressing up like a farmer who is harvesting his field of pumpkins!

    My Happy Song

    by Super Simple Songs

    Action Songs for Fall

    Action songs for toddlers and preschoolers. Children pretend to fly, climb, become animals, and so much more.

    Muscle and Bone

    Wonderfully imaginative lyrics about rivers, mountains, boulders, etc.

    Simon Says

    Hop, Skip, Jump to My Lou

    I Dreamed that I Could Fly

    Autumn Animal and Insect Songs

    Fall is a wonderful time to teach about life cycles. Insects move slower and kids may notice little fuzzy caterpillars looking for a place to build a cocoon. This life cycle page by Preschool Inspirations has printables that you may find useful.

    Five Little Caterpillars

    Five little…. basically anything you want to sing about. I love to think of little fuzzy caterpillars for this fall song. This is definitely one of many fun kids counting songs!

    Bunny Hop

    Why should we only sing the “Grey Squirrel Song” in the fall while other animals are busy preparing for winter as well? Many animals get ready for their long winter hibernation. Bunny hops around preparing his nest for winter! Get ready to wiggle your ears, nose, paws, and little cotton tail!

    Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta-Boo

    Filled with zany nonsensical lyrics, let’s take a field trip to the zoo this fall. While I am sure this song won’t make it into anyone else’s autumn songs list, I hope you see the value of music that can spark the imagination of a child!

    Autumn Forest Puppets

    Music and Movement Song for Fall

    Play Your Instruments

    Play Your Instruments by Ella Jenkins is a song I sing at every single early childhood class I teach. It’s one of my fall songs, winter songs, spring songs, and summer songs. You can definitely have more autumny vibes by making some of your own homemade instruments like paper bag maracas or percussion instruments that have fall colors (make sure anything you make is safe and age appropriate for your child).

    Clickety Clack

    Train Song by Katherine Dines in like a story. The train goes faster and slower! You can imagine watching all the autumn leaves out the window. I don’t know about you, but hearing the banjo playing just puts me in the mood for a fall barn dance.

    I’m on a Train

    Cocomelon is a wonderful child-friendly youtube channel. “I’m on a Train” music video demonstrates so much of the teaching I like to do with kids. They take the melody and lyrics from a familiar song (Down By the Bay) and re-purpose the song into something new… a train song! Plus, the video shows how you can take a cardboard box and turn it into a train. Brilliant!

    Everyone knows that there can be hundreds of dollars of toys in a room and kids will always gravitate to the empty box.. everytime! It time to take a train ride while the autumn leaves are falling to the ground!

    More Ideas and Activities for Fall

    Autumn Songs Sensory Ideas

    This fall sensory bottle by Preschool Inspirations is fun for preschool children to make. Sensory bottles help kids focus and keep their fingers busy when their bodies need to sit still.

    Fall Nature I Spy Bottle by MamaPapaBubba gives kids a chance to collect actual autumn nature items and put it into their “I Spy” bottle. This is a great activity that can even be adapted to different seasons.

    Fall Fine Motor Play-Dough Ideas

    This fall play-doh activity by Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails is sure to keep little fingers for a ling time. Like the I Spy bottle above, this play-doh activity can easily be adapted to different holidays and seasons.

    Hot Cross Buns Play-Doh Activity is fine motor activity that I created to help preschoolers wiggle fingers and develop five fingers strength for beginning piano lessons. There is a free pdf download in the link.

    Autumn Songs Train Ideas

    This alphabet activity with train tracks from Teaching Mama is a wonderful extension for your fall train ride.

    Food Preschool Fall Songs

    Oats and Beans and Barley Grow

    Let the Autumn harvest begin!

    Mashed Potatoes

    Autumn evokes the thoughts of cooler weather, leaves falling, and warmer comfort foods. One of the iconic stables of the Thanksgiving meal is mashed potatoes.

    Apples and Bananas

    I guess you had to figure I would get one apple song in this list! Apples and Bananas by Raffi is one of my favorites and is a great introduction to talking about vowels. Here is a link to many different apples and bananas worksheets at Teachers Pay Teachers. And here is an apples and bananas count page offered by Super Simple.

    Coconut

    Coconut by Raffi is a really spirited “dance with me” song. I told my husband it is a stretch including it in my autumn song list because living in the northern parts of the USA, we don’t have coconut harvests. But I am thinking coconuts are harvested in other parts of the world, and my husband reminded me… sometimes coconuts “fall!”

    Coconut Books to use with Autumn Songs

    Disclaimer: Some links in this blog post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through my link, I may make a small commission at no extra expense to you. This helps support my blog. Thank you!

    15 autumn songs for preschoolers
    15 Printable Autumn Songs for Preschoolers with teaching tips and great ideas to get the most from singing these songs!

    If you are interested in the apple and pumpkin songs, check out my blog post Autumn Songs for Preschoolers. I have a FREE PDF Download with 15 songs and lots of teaching tips and ideas to get the most from singing these songs with preschoolers.
    Songs include:
    Autumn Leaves are Falling Down
    Falling Leaves
    Autumn Leaves
    Leaves are Falling Down
    Crunchy Leaves
    The Apple Tree Song
    10 Little Spiders
    Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes
    The Itsy Bitsy Spider
    Apple Pie Song
    Five Little Pumpkins
    Pumpkin Patch Song
    A Little Pumpkin with a Frown
    The Grey Squirrel Song
    Five Little Bunnies

    Autumn Songs PDF

    15 Easy to Sing Songs & Fingerplays

    Get your Autumn Song PDF’s here!

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      Conclusion

      I’d love to hear from you. Let me know if you liked my fall songs collection that inspire kids to use their imaginations. I hope you find this blog post thoughtful and useful!

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