Nursery number favourites to 5

Barnacle Bill

Blackbird singing

Blowing bubbles

Five baby crocuses / Getting up

Five crispy pancakes

Five currant buns in a baker’s shop

Five firefighters

Five little caterpillars

Five little chickadees

Five little chickens

Five little ducks

Five little field mice

Five little friends in a flying saucer

Five little gingerbread men in a row

Five little men made out of snow

Five little monkeys bouncing on the bed

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree

Five little monkeys walked along the shore

Five little seashells

Five little speckled frogs

Five plump peas

Five snow angels

Five Spring flowers

Five snow angels

Four seeds in a hole

Here are the beehives

Hicketty picketty buttercup

One little cockerel

Old John Braddle-um

Peter hammers with one hammer

Sailor, sailor on the sea

There were two wrens upon a tree

Last updated: 05/04/2016 16:06

The songs below are compiled, illustrated and sometimes adapted

by Dany Rosevear

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To listen to music from these songs click on O

To watch the author sing a song click on the title at:

© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved

You are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the

following conditions:

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Your fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.

Barnacle Bill O

The chorus of this nautical song is sometimes sung as ‘Bonnie over, in the clover’.

Put up one finger for each verse and mime actions. Ask a child to move the minute hand on the clock to illustrate the time.

When Barnacle Bill was one

He learned to play the drum.

Hi-de-ho-de,

Fee-fi-fo-de,

Half past one.

When Barnacle Bill was two

He learned to tie his shoe.

Hi-de-ho-de,

Fee-fi-fo-de,

Half past two.

When Barnacle Bill was three

He learned to climb a tree.

Hi-de-ho-de,

Fee-fi-fo-de,

Half past three.

When Barnacle Bill was four

He learned to scrub the floor.

Hi-de-ho-de,

Fee-fi-fo-de,

Half past four

When Barnacle Bill was five

He learned to swim and dive.

Hi-de-ho-de,

Fee-fi-fo-de,

Half past five.

Blackbird singing O

A little song that tells a story.

Younger children might find it easier if the adult sings the story lines allowing the children to sing the refrain ‘Hey li lee li lee lo’ and the chorus together.

This song suits simple actions: holding up five fingers, cupping hand like a nest, crossing hands to make them fly like little birds.

Blackbird singing in a lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo,

Building a nest in the lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo.

Chorus

Hey li lee li lee li lee,

Hey li lee li lee lo,

Hey li lee li lee li lee,

Hey li lee li lee lo.

Five speckled eggs in a lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo,

Safe and warm in the lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo.

Five little birds in a lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo,

Learning to fly in the lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo.

No little birds in a lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo,

They’ve all flown away from the lilac tree,

Hey li lee li lee lo.

Blowing bubbles O

Words by Frances B. Wood to a Polish tune; from ‘Sixty songs for little children’ published 1933.

Bubbles from my pipe I blow,

One, two, in the air,

Floating gaily, off they go,

Three, four, everywhere.

Sparkling, shining, see them sail,

Gleaming in the sun!

Airy fairy balls so frail,

Rainbows in each one.

Five currant buns O

Learn the concept of ‘one less’ and the numbers to five while playing this shopping game. Substitute ‘child’ with the name of each youngster.

One child takes the role of the baker and six others that of the customer. Give each child a 1p to pay for a bun and place five buns in the shop.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Five currant buns in a baker’s shop, Round and fat with the sugar on the top. Along came a child with a penny one day, Bought a currant bun and took it away. 1, 2, 3, 4 Four currant buns in a baker’s shop, Round and fat with the sugar on the top. Along came a child with a penny one day, Bought a currant bun and took it away. 1, 2, 3 Three currant buns… 1, 2 Two currant buns … 1 One currant buns … No currant buns in a baker’s shop, Round and fat with the sugar on the top. Along came a child with a penny one day, There were no currant bun to take away.

Count with fingers. One child at a time approaches the baker and exchanges their 1p for a bun. Continue as before until the last verse where one child goes into the baker’s shop to find there are no buns left. That child looks sad until another child offers to share their bun. Discuss how that might happen.

Five firefighters O

A version of ‘Five little firemen’ for the more liberated world. The original version was written by Louise B. Scott with music by Lucille F. Wood.

Children stand in rows five. Put up one finger at a time to count and when ‘Shhh!’ is sung put finger to the lips. Cup hands round mouth for the shout as it can be uncomfortably loud for sensitive ears! At the end of each verse a child sits down. On the last verse shout sleepily (!) then put hands to cheeks in sleeping mode.

Five firefighters standing in a row,

One, two, three, four, five, they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout,

Quicker than a wink the fire is out!

Four firefighters standing in a row,

One, two, three, four, Shh! they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout,

Quicker than a wink the fire is out!

Three firefighters standing in a row,

One, two, three, Shh! Shh! they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout,

Quicker than a wink the fire is out!

Two firefighters standing in a row,

One, two, Shh! Shh! Shh! they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout,

Quicker than a wink the fire is out!

One firefighter standing in a row,

One, Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout,

Quicker than a wink the fire is out!

No firefighters standing in a row,

Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh! they go.

Tired firefighters give a sleepy shout,

We’re off to bed for the fire is out!

Five little caterpillars O

A number and hand play rhyme. Learn the number pairs that make five.

Music by Dany Rosevear ©.

Show five fingers then lay them on the other hand. Put up one finger then hands to the cheek. Stretch arms then cross hands and make them fly. Raise four fingers on one hand and four on the other.

Five little caterpillars sitting on a leaf,

One little caterpillar fell fast asleep.

When it woke up it found it could fly!

Now there’s four caterpillars and… one butterfly.

Four little caterpillars sitting on a leaf,

One little caterpillar fell fast asleep.

When it woke up it found it could fly!

Now there’s three caterpillars and… two butterflies.

Three little caterpillars sitting on a leaf …

Five little chickadees O

An opportunity to understand the concept of ‘one less’ / subtraction.

This song can simply be played using the fingers of one hand or with a group of children where one child flies away with elbows flapping.

Five little chickadees peeping through the door,

One flew away and then there were four.

Chickadee, chickadee, happy all day,

Chickadee, chickadee, fly away.

Four little chickadees sitting on a tree,

One flew away and then there were three.

Chickadee…

Three little chickadees looking at you,

One flew away and then there were two.

Chickadee…

Two little chickadees sitting in the sun,

One flew away and then there was one.

Chickadee…

One little chickadee left all alone,

It flew away and then there were none.

Chickadee…

Five little chickens O

Learn your ordinal numbers to five.

Said the first little chicken,

With a strange little squirm,

"I wish I could find

A fat little worm."

Said the next little chicken,

With an odd little shrug,

"I wish I could find

A fat little slug."

Said the next little chicken,

With an sharp little squeal,

"I wish I could find

Some nice yellow meal."

Said the fourth little chicken,

With a small sigh of grief,

"I wish I could find

A little green leaf!"

Said the fifth little chicken,

With a faint little moan,

"I wish I could find

A wee gravel stone."

"Now, see here!" said the mother,

From the green garden patch,

"If you want any breakfast,

Just scratch, scratch scratch!"

Five little ducks O

A very simple song that introduces the concept of subtraction. This song could be easily be adapted to any animal that fits in with the topic of the day.

Five little ducks went swimming 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 swimming 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… Two little ducks… One little duck went swimming one day, Over the hills and far away. Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack!” And all of the five little ducks came back.

Hold up five fingers. Make hand move in a wavy manner. Hand opens and closes like a duck’s beak. Put up four fingers. Continue as before putting down one finger each time the song is sung. Ask the question ‘And one less is...? On the very last line put up all five fingers.

Five little field mice O

This number song was written by Cynthia Raza for her song and story book Mungo Mouse. I added the last verse.

Subtract one each time from five and learn ordinal numbers.

Sing the song quietly and then loudly for the HOOT! And SCOOT!

Five little field mice fast asleep,

All in a huddle and all in a heap.

A tawny owl came past and gave a HOOT!

And the first little mouse went SCOOT!

Four little field mice fast asleep,

All in a huddle and all in a heap.

A tawny owl came past and gave a HOOT!

And the second little mouse went SCOOT!

Three… third…

Two… fourth….

One… last….

Singing very quietly

Five little field mice fast asleep,

All in a huddle and all in a heap.

Safe in the barn in an old brown boot,

And a hungry tawny owl went SCOOT!

Five little friends in a flying saucerO

An updated version of ‘Five little men in a flying saucer’.

Count fingers down in this nursery favourite that encourages subtracting numbers from five. At the end of the song introduce the concept of nought.

Five little friends in a flying saucer, Flew round the world one day, They looked left and right, but they didn’t like the sight, So one then flew away. Four little friends in a flying saucer… Three little friends in a flying saucer… Two little friends in a flying saucer… One little friend in a flying saucer, Flew round the world one day, He felt all alone and just wanted to go home, So he quickly flew away.

Hold up five fingers and put down one finger each time the song is sung. Ask the question ‘And one less is...?’

Five little gingerbread men in a row O

Put felt gingerbread men on a board and remove one at a time. Or even better make five gingerbread men biscuits and eat with friends.

Verse 1: Hold up five fingers, wave from side to side. Shake finger and head. Hand Make binoculars with hands to the eyes, touch head then toes. Slap thighs for ‘crunch’, clap hands for ‘munch’, then put hands to mouth on ‘uh oh!’

Verse 2: As before but on the third line make binoculars, then forefingers run down cheeks to represent tears. Last line: slap thighs, clap, then throw up hands and shrug shoulders.

Five little gingerbread men in a row,

Not gonna eat one no, no, no!

But they look so sweet from head to toe

Crunch, munch...uh oh!

Continue until...

No little gingerbread men in a row;

Wasn't gonna eat one, no, no, no.

But they looked so sweet that it's sad to tell

Crunch, munch... oh well!

Five little men made out of snow O

This traditional song has several tunes but I love this one by Nancy Stewart.

This song can simply be played using the fingers and hands or with a group of children where one child drops down each time to become a puddle.

1. Hold up five fingers. 2. Pretend to put on hat and tie bow. 3. Make sun with a big movement and make it shine. 4. One finger wiggles downward. 5. Shrug shoulders and throw out palms of hands.

Five little men made out of snow,

Each with a hat and a big red bow,

Out came the sun and it stayed all day,

One little snowman melted away!

SPOKEN And he said, “Oops, I’m a puddle!”

Four little men made out of snow…

And so on.

No little men made out of snow,

None with a hat and a big red bow,

Out came the sun and it winked my way,

Put on your wellies, it’s time for puddle play!

Five little friends in a flying saucer O

Count fingers down in this nursery favourite that encourages subtracting numbers from five. At the end of the song introduce the concept of nought.

Five little friends in a flying saucer, Flew round the world one day, They looked left and right but they didn’t like the sight, So one then flew away. Four little friends in a flying saucer… Three little friends in a flying saucer… Two little friends in a flying saucer… One little friend in a flying saucer, Flew round the world one day, He felt all alone and just wanted to go home, So he quickly flew away.

Hold up five fingers and put down one finger each time a verse is sung. Ask the question ‘And one less is...?’

Five little monkeys bouncing on the bed O

Another simple subtraction song using numbers to five. It can also be used with the numbers to ten counting back in twos. I have added a new final verse to include ‘ no little monkeys’

For a more vigorous workout have children jumping up and down in large hoops with one child jumping out of the hoop at the end of each verse and then all jumping back in on the last verse.

Five little monkeys bouncing on the bed, One fell off and bumped his head, Mamma called the doctor and the doctor said. ‘No more monkey business bouncing on the bed!’ Four little monkeys … Three little monkeys … Two little monkeys … One little monkey… No little monkeys bouncing on the bed, For they’re down on the floor with tired little heads, The clock struck seven and their mamma said, ‘Sleepy little monkeys it is time you were in bed!’

Hold up five fingers for each monkey. Tap fingers on the palm of the other hand. Hold head and look upset. Pretend to phone doctor. Shake forefinger angrily Each time the song is sung lower one finger.

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree O

This song is usually chanted and the monkeys come to a sorry end; the one below has a happier outcome – perhaps!

Versions from the Americas usually have the monkeys teasing an alligator.

Hold up five fingers for each monkey. With fingers pointing downwards swing hands to and fro. Tickle the back of one hand. Shake finger from side to side. Make hands open and close moving forwards. Make a big ‘snip snap’. Put hand to mouth.

Five little monkeys swinging in a tree,

Teasing Mister Crocodile: "You can’t catch me!"

Along comes Mister Crocodile as quiet as can be...

And it’s SNIP! SNAP! Oh dear me!

Four little monkeys swinging in a tree,

Teasing Mister Crocodile: "You can’t catch me!"

Along comes Mister Crocodile as quiet as can be...

And it’s SNIP! SNAP! Oh dear me!

Three little monkeys swinging in a tree,

Teasing Mister Crocodile: "You can’t catch me!"

Along comes Mister Crocodile as quiet as can be...

And it’s SNIP! SNAP! Oh dear me!

Two little monkeys swinging in a tree,

Teasing Mister Crocodile: "You can’t catch me!"

Along comes Mister Crocodile as quiet as can be...

And it’s SNIP! SNAP! Oh dear me!

One little monkeys swinging in a tree,

Teasing Mister Crocodile: "You can’t catch me!"

Along comes Mister Crocodile as quiet as can be...

And it’s SNIP! SNAP! Oh dear me!

No little monkeys swinging in a tree,

And old Mister Crocodile is happy as can be,

Off he goes for a quiet cup of tea...

Leaving five little monkeys chasing fishes out to sea!

Five little monkeys walked along the shore O

Count back from five using your fingers.

Five little monkeys walked along the shore,

One went sailing, then there were four.

Four little monkeys played in a tree.

One of them tumbled down, then there were three.

Three little monkeys found a pot of glue,

One got stuck in it, then there were two,

Two little monkeys found a currant bun,

One ran away with it, then there was one.

One little monkey cried all afternoon,

They put him in a spaceship and sent him to the moon.

Five little speckled frogs O

A big springtime nursery favourite.

Get jumping around the room like little frogs for a more energetic activity than the hand actions below.

Make a big splashing sound with a tambourine when the frog jumps into the pool.

Five little speckled frogs Sat on a speckled log, Eating the most delicious bugs, YUM! YUM! One jumped into the pool – SPLASH! Where it was nice and cool, Then there were four green speckled frogs, GLUB! GLUB! Four little speckled frogs … Three little speckled frogs … Two little speckled frogs … One little speckled frog Sat on a speckled log, Eating the most delicious bugs, YUM! YUM! It jumped into the pool – SPLASH! Where it was nice and cool, Then there were no green speckled frogs, BOO-HOO!

Hold up five fingers. Rest fist on top of hand. Flick tongues in and out. Rub tummy. Clap hands. Wipe brow. Raise four fingers. Fists open and close to each ‘GLUB!’ Repeat as above for each new verse with the appropriate number of fingers.

Five plump peas

A classic early year’s finger rhyme.

Here it is in Chinese – I’m not sure which language though! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syIUEbp5Or0

Five plump peas in a peapod pressed,

Clench fingers of one hand and cover with the other.

One grew, two grew, and so did all the rest.

Raise fingers one at a time.

They grew, and they grew

Stretch arms apart.

And they never stopped,

They grew SO BIG that the peapod... POPPED!

Clap hands loudly.

Five snow angels O

We didn’t make snow angels when I was young, I’ve only recently discovered them with my grandchildren.

What happens to those snow angels and snowmen at the end of the day; this song will keep you guessing unless you know about the water cycle and changing weather patterns!

Make snow angels in the snow by lying down and moving arms up and down. You are likely to get wet so make sure you have your waterproofs on!

Five snow angels in my garden lay;

Sleeping so quietly ‘til the end of day.

One saw the dark’ning sky, it’s true,

Softly, gently, up and up it flew.

Four snow angels…

One heard a barn owl hoot, it’s true….

Three snow angels…

One saw the twinkling stars, it’s true….

Two snow angels…

One saw a comet zoom, it’s true….

One snow angel…

It saw the shy moon smile, it’s true….

The sun is up and we’d like to know,

Where, oh where, did our snow angels go?

Then five white clouds sailed silently by,

I’m sure, so sure, one cloud winked an eye!

I’m sure, so sure, one cloud winked an eye!

Four seeds in a hole O

An old countryside saying. It is also heard as: ‘One for the rook, one for the crow’

Make fingers to show how many seeds and count out their use.

Four seeds in a hole,

Four seeds in a hole,

One for the mouse,

One for the crow,

One to rot and one to grow!

Here are the beehives O

Five in one hive, five in the other; how many bees altogether?

Here are the beehives, But where are the bees? Hidden away where nobody can see. Here they come, Each one alive; One, two, three, four, five! One, two, three, four, five!

Curl fingers into fists. Throw out hands and look puzzled. Pull fists into chest. Make hands fly about on one side then the other. Pop up fingers on one hand and then the second hand.

Hickety pickety buttercup O

Learn to identify and count numbers to five with this traditional song.

Leader sings to each child in turn and holds up a number of fingers to five. The child addressed calls out the number of fingers held up and checks by counting. The leader verifies the number and asks how many claps that will be. Everyone responds with the correct number of claps.

Hickety pickety buttercup,

How many fingers do I hold up?

THREE! One, two, three!

(Three) it is! Yes, three you say.

So how many claps for us today?

ONE, TWO THREE!

One little cockerel O

Sing this song to five ten or more if you like!

An alternative first line could be: One little cockerel down our way.

One little cockerel bright and gay

Stood on a gate at break of day.

“Ho! Little cockerel, how do you do?”

“Quite well, thank you, cock-a-doodle-doo.”

Two little cockerels...

Old John Braddle-um O

Oh, what country folks we be. Have fun making up verses to the number twelve.

Number one, number one,

Now my song has just begun,

Chorus

With a rum tum-taddle-um,

Old John Bradlelum,

Oh, what country folks we be.

Number two, number two,

Rooster crows, ‘Cock-a-doodle-doodle-doo!’...

Number three, number three,

Three little pigs run round a tree...

Number four, number four,

Now I’ll just sing one verse more...

Number five, number five,

Bees make honey in a hive...

Peter hammers with one hammer O

This action song requires a certain amount of co-ordination but is great fun for young children and helps them learn their numbers to five.

Sit in a circle and make actions as below:

Make hand into a fist and beat on the knee, then use both fists, two fists and one foot, two fists and both feet, ending up with two fists, two feet and a nodding head.

On the last two verses put hands to cheek in sleeping mode then jump up and repeat sequence standing up.

Peter hammers with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer,

Peter hammers with one hammer,

Then he hammers with two.

Peter hammers with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers,

Peter hammers with two hammers,

Then he hammers with three.

Peter hammers with three hammers...

Peter hammers with four hammers...

Peter hammers with five hammers...

But now he’s very tired - YAWN!

Peter’s going to sleep now, sleep now, sleep now,

Peter’s going to sleep now,

Let’s all do the same.

Peter’s waking up now, up now, up now,

Peter’s waking up now,

Let’s all do the same.

Sailor, sailor on the sea O

This guess the number game from Kentucky was originally collected and recorded in 1968 by Jean Ritchie.

One child, the farmer, stands behind another child, the sailor. The farmer sings the first verse and the sailor the second one and holds up one to five of their fingers; the farmer guesses how many. If the guess is wrong the sailor sings the couplet ‘You have missed…’, if correct ‘You have guessed…’ and the farmer becomes the new sailor. The old sailor then chooses a new farmer.

Sailor, sailor on the sea.

Sailor, sailor on the sea.

Sailor, sailor on the sea.

What treasures have you brought for me?

Farmer, farmer, on the land,

Farmer, farmer, on the land.

Farmer, farmer on the land,

I've gold and jewels in my hand.

Sailor speaks: Guess how many.

Farmer guesses: Three? Or any number to five.

You have guessed the number true, (3x)

Now you may sail the ocean blue.

OR

You have missed the number plain. (3x)

So I must sail the seas again.

There were two wrens upon a tree O

A nursery number rhyme from a Ladybird book set to a traditional tune by Dany Rosevear.

There were two wrens upon a tree,

Whistle and I'll come to thee;

Another came and there were three,

Whistle and I'll come to thee;

Another came and there were four,

You needn't whistle any more,

For being frightened, off they flew,

And there are none to show to you!

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