Hello There! This is an echo song. As the leader, point to yourself, then to the children, or use a pretend microphone. This is great for pitch matching skills!

Hello there! (Hello there!)
How are you? (How are you?)
It’s so good (It’s so good)
To see you. (To see you.)
We will sing and (We will sing and)
Be happy (Be happy)
That we’re all here together again!

“Direct” the last line, indicating that everyone should sing.

Hello Roll a ball or tap to the steady beat as everyone sings to each child, or let each child hold a teddy bear during her turn. As you know, it’s important to recognize the uniqueness of each person.

Hello ____________
We’re glad you’re here today!

Five Little Ladies This is a fun little chant to do with many ages. Younger kids may only shout “10” with you at first. That’s OK! Older kids can listen for rhyming words. Begin with both hands behind back.

Five little ladies going for a walk.
Tap one hand rhythmically on floor as it “walks” to front
Five little ladies stopping for a talk.
Tap fingers and thumb of this hand together in a talking, puppet-like motion
Along came five little gentlemen,
Repeat first motion with other hand
And they all danced together and that makes 10!

Clasp hands together and rock back and forth in a dancing motion. Release and hold up 10 fingers at “10!”

Count fingers together, if desired.

Fuzzy Caterpillar This song presents a scientific phenomenon as a story, and the kids get to act it out. Take a little time to teach the butterfly motion, but don’t worry if they can’t do it just right. Enjoy!

Fuzzy caterpillar Wiggle 2 pointer fingers pointing up
Climbing up a tree, Wiggle and move pointer fingers up
He wiggles out, he wiggles in, Wiggle and move pointer fingers out, then back
He wiggles right at me. Wiggle and turn pointer fingers to point to self

I put him in a box, Cup hands and clap, switch hands and repeat to beat
“Don’t go away,” I said.
But when I opened up the box Slowly open hands (i.e. the “box”)
A butterfly instead! Look at palms, cross wrists, hook thumbs, wiggle finger wings

Blaloomp This song helps body part recognition and speech development. Begin by asking children to show you their tongues. Extend tongue out for “Bla…” and stretch the beat a bit (tenuto in musical terms)

Blaloomp went the little green frog one day,
Blaloomp went the little green frog!
Blaloomp went the little green frog one day,
And his eyes went blink, blink, blink! Point to eyes and blink 3 times.

Here’s a Nest Begin this chant by talking about where animals and people live. Encourage the kids to say it with you the second time.

Here’s a nest for robin, Cup hands together
Here’s a hive for bee, Touch fingertips together
Here’s a hole for rabbit, Make circle in front with arms
And here’s a house for me! Put palms together over head to make roof

My Hat As you sing these words, make the following motions:
My - point to self
Hat - point to head
Three - hold up three fingers
Corners - point to elbow

My hat, it has three corners,
Three corners has my hat;
And had it not three corners,
It would not be my hat!

Try it slow, then fast. Try it leaving out the word “corners,” then leaving out “corners” and “hat,” etc. This is great music training!

A Fly is On My Nose Encourage the kids to take a deep breath when they blow the fly. This promotes good lung development.

A fly is on my nose, Touch nose to beat
A fly is on my nose, Touch nose to beat
Hi, ho just watch me blow, Blow finger “fly” off of nose; circle finger around, then land on nose again
A fly is on my nose. Touch nose to beat

Jack in the Box Begin this song in a squatted position. Say the first three phrases softly. This one is fun to do several times, and can also be done with a parachute.

Jack-in-the-box
Sits so still
Won’t you come out?
Yes I will! Jump up, hands up high, and shout this last phrase!

Walking, Walking Make a circle with the children to start this song.

Walking, walking, Walk in a circle, stepping to the beat
Walking, walking. Walk in a circle, stepping to the beat
Hop, hop, hop. Continuing the circle, hop three times
Hop, hop, hop. Continuing the circle, hop three times

Running, running, running. Run in a circle, step for each syllable-eighth notes
Running, running, running. Run in a circle, step for each syllable-eighth notes
Now let’s stop. Three big steps, then freeze
Now let’s stop. Three big steps, then freeze

Tommy Thumb Encourage lots of expression with this chant. Keep the fingers bouncing to the beat throughout.

Tommy Thumb up! Tommy Thumb down! Two thumbs up, then down
Tommy thumb dancing all around the town! Dance them in circles

Refrain: Dancing on my shoulders, Thumbs, pointers, or pinkies to shoulders
Dancing on my knees, …to knees
Dancing on my head, …to head
Now put them down to sleep! Cross arms; thumbs, pointers, or pinkies under arms

Mommy Pointer up! Mommy Pointer down! Two pointers up, then down
Mommy Pointer dancing all around the town! Dance them in circles

Baby Pinkie up, Baby Pinkie down! Two pinkies up, then down
Baby Pinkie dancing all around the town! Dance them in circles

The Noble Duke of York March in place for this song. Kids will learn up, down, and halfway up.

The Noble Duke of York, March in place
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up the hill, March on tiptoes
And then he marched them down again. March crouched down

And when you’re up, you’re up, March on tiptoes
And when you’re down, you’re down, March crouched down
And when you’re only halfway up, March halfway up
You’re neither up nor down. March on tiptoes, then crouched down

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 A great song for the dramatic child! Encourage kids to show the different emotions on their faces. Also, try to make sure they use their right pinky finger at the end.

1.. 2.. 3, 4, 5! Count off fingers on one hand
Once I caught a fish alive! Wave hand side to side
6.. 7.. 8, 9,10! Continue counting on other hand
Then I let him go again. Wave both hands
Why did you let him go? Palms up to either side; question face
Because he bit my finger so! Hands on hips; angry face
Which finger did he bite? Palms up to either side; question face
This little finger on my right! Show right pinky, then kiss it to make it better!

Hot Cross Buns This song uses the body scale where do (the lowest note) = hands on knees, re (the middle note) = hands on thighs, and mi (the highest note) = hands on hips. These correspond to the actual notes you sing.

Hot cross buns Hands on hips, thighs, then knees
Hot cross buns Hands on hips, thighs, then knees
One a penny, Tap knees 4x Two a penny Tap thighs 4x
Hot cross buns Hands on hips, thighs, then knees

Children, Children Turn Around This song parallels Teddy Bear Turn Around, but asks the children to move.

Children, children, turn around Spin around slowly
Children, children, touch the ground Squat, touch the floor
Children, children, show your shoe. Show foot, out in front
Children, children, good for you! Clap 3x with “good for you”

I Have a Little Pony This is a great bouncing song. Steady beat is important for kids to experience, as is the silence and stillness of “stops.” Vary the length of the pause as you enjoy this together.

I have a little pony, Bounce small child gently; big kids sit up and bounce, pretending to ride a horse
His name is Macaroni. He trots and trots,
And then he stops! Pause and freeze at “stops”
What a funny pony! Resume bouncing
Macaroni! Wiggle child; or child wiggles

Ride a Horsie Another good bouncing song. Don’t be afraid to fall with the kids; they’ll think it’s hilarious!

Ride a horsie, Bounce small child gently; big kids sit up and bounce, pretending to ride a horse
Ride to town.
Ride a horsie,
Don’t fall down! Gently help small child fall to the side; big kids carefully fall over

Here is the Beehive This is a story and counting chant all in one.

Here is the beehive, Make horizontal fist
Where are the bees? Other hand turns up
Hidden away where no one sees. Hand covers fist
Here they come buzzing out of the hive! Move fist in circles
One-Two-Three-Four-Five! Count off fingers out of hive. Buzz fingers (optional)

Wake Up You Lazy Bones This song is good when the kids need to use some energy! Again, vary the silent “sleeping” time as you repeat the song 3 or 4 times.

Jump up and down throughout this stanza
Wake up you lazy bones, it’s time to fetch the cattle.
Wake up you lazy bones, it’s time to get the cows.

The cows are gone Down on one knee the sun is hot Both knees down
I think I’ll rest Place one elbow on floor ’til they come home. Place other elbow on floor, rest head in hands and close eyes. After a quiet pause, say…

If All of the Raindrops This song encourages the kids to use their imaginations. After they have learned this song, it might be fun to ask them to draw a picture about it! Musically, make sure to be a good example and keep your head level when singing the “Ah, ah…” part.

Chorus: If all of the raindrops Wiggle fingers from overhead, then down, simulating rain
were lemon drops and gumdrops, Bring cupped hands together, right over left, then switch to the beat
Oh, what a rain that would be! Resume rainfall with fingers
(Sing two times)

I’d stand outside with my mouth open wide Arms at sides, palms up
Ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah, ah ah ah, Mouth open wide

Repeat Chorus.

There Once was a Turtle Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of words in this chant. The kids will catch on, and enjoy it as you do. Be sure to articulate key words such as “snapped” and “caught.”

There once was a turtle Make a fist with one hand, and hold it horizontally
Who lived in a box. Cover fist with other hand
He swam in the water Make small breast stroke swimming motion
And climbed on the rocks. Make one fist, walk fingers up that arm to fist

He snapped at the mosquito; Make puppet mouth with the right hand, and “bite” away from the body
He snapped at the flea; Make puppet mouth with left hand, and “bite” away from the body
He snapped at the minnow; Right hand bites again away from the body
And he snapped at me! Left hand bites towards self

He caught the mosquito; Clap hands once on “caught”
He caught the flea; Clap hands on “caught”
He caught the minnow; Clap hands on “caught”
But he didn’t catch me! Point to self and shake head

The Parachute Song This song helps with steady beat and opposites, and teaches teamwork. Children should hold parachute high over head for “up” (they should be able to see their friends on the other side of the circle), and near their knees for “down.” Suggested prop—parachute, sheet, or round plastic tablecloth held in a circle with a group of children and adults)

Chorus: Up, down, up, down, Up, down, up, down to the beat
This is the parachute song! Up, down, up, down
Up, down, up, down, Up, down, up, down
This is the parachute song! Up, down, up, down

I can sing high (echo: I can sing high) Hold parachute up high
I can sing low (I can sing low) Bring parachute down low
This is the parachute song! Move parachute up and down

I can sing fast (I can sing fast) Wave parachute quickly
I can sing slow (I can sing slow) Wave parachute slowly
This is the parachute song! Move parachute up and down

The Parachute Song copyright 2003 by Beverly Theige