For the
very young I-P
I can
run as fast as you
I
have two eyes to see with
I
know a hairy bear
I met
a little tidy mouse
I’m a
tall, tall tree
Ipsy
dipsy doo dum
It’s
time for us to go
It’s
time to put our coats on
Kangaroo’s
leaps
Little
butterfly in the kitchen
Little
friend, let’s merry be
Little
horses, little horses
Little
snail / Lilla snigel
Little
spider
Mary
come a-runnin’
Mrs.
Snail
Mother,
may I go out to swim?
Morning
wishes
Mud
pies
My
wonderful bundle of fun
Niddledy
noddledy
On my
face I have a nose
One
little bumble bee
Owl
in the tree says, “Whoo, whoo, whoo!”
Pickles
in the pickle pot
Pray
open my umbrella
Puppy’s
little paddy paws
Last updated: 4/3/2023
9:34 AM
These
songs are nursery rhymes and other traditional songs compiled, illustrated and
music arranged by Dany Rosevear.
Return to the ‘Singing games for children’ home page
To listen to music from these
songs click on 🔊
To watch the
author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2013 All rights reserved
You
are free to copy, distribute, display and perform these works under the
following conditions:
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you must give the original author credit
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you may not use this work for commercial purposes
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for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the
licence terms of this work
·
any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright
holder
Your
fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.
I can run as fast as you 🔊 Children love a challenge, even when it means being quiet! Move as the words suggest,
finish sitting very still with arms crossed. |
I can run as fast as you. I can run as fast as you. I can run as fast as you. Running on the spot. I can jump as high as you… I can march as fast as you… I can stamp as hard as you… I can tiptoe as quiet as you… I can sit as still as you…. |
I have two eyes to see with O Many parts of our body come in twos
but there is only one nose. Point to eyes, run up and down on feet, wave hands and point to nose,
ears, tongue and cheeks. |
I have two eyes to see with, I have two feet to run, I have two hands to wave with, And nose I have but one. I have two ears to hear with, And a tongue to say "Good day". And two red cheeks for you to kiss... But now I’ll run away! |
I know a hairy bear 🔊 There’s nothing like the excuse to make growly noises! Composed by Val Dolon. Point to self, wiggle
fingers next to head, Curl fingers up near mouth and l finish with a nice loud growl. |
I know a hairy bear, A very hairy bear, A very hairy scary bear, I know a hairy bear, And
it can growl like this! Grrrrr! |
I met a little tidy mouse 🔊 It’s time to put toys and activities back in the right place; the
‘tidy mouse’ song will help children to respond to this task calmly and with
a sense of purpose. Music by Dany Rosevear. |
I met a little tidy mouse, He said “Let's tidy up
this house, Tidy, tidy here and there, Tidy, tidy everywhere! Tidy, tidy everywhere!” |
I'm a tall, tall tree 🔊 A beautiful action song for all seasons by Lorraine Lee Hammond 1979,
Snowy Egret Music. Make movements slowly and with a sense of wonder. For each verse start at the
feet and run hands up the body and into the air to make branches. Then open
hands for blossom, bend slowly in the wind, drop apples gently and fingers
move down wards like snowflakes and then shiver. |
This is my trunk; I'm a tall, tall tree, In the springtime the blossoms grow on me. They open, they open. This is my trunk; I'm a tall, tall tree, In the summer the breezes blow through me. I bend, I bend. This is my trunk; I'm a tall, tall tree, In the autumn the apples grow on me. They drop, they drop. This is my trunk; I'm a tall, tall tree. In the winter the snowflakes fall on me. Brrr, Brrr. |
Ipsy dipsy doo dum 🔊 Keep healthy and happy by moving to this simple singing game. Words and set to music by Dany Rosevear. Skip round the room either
individually or with a partner. Each time the ‘Ipsy dipsy’ refrain is sung
stop, clap hands, slap knees, touch the floor and clap hands again.
Alternatively clap and slap hands with a partner. |
Wash your hands and clean your teeth, When you need to do them, That’s the way we’ll all keep well, Ipsy, dipsy doo dum. No more achey teeth for me. No more nasty flu germs, Sing this little song once more, Ipsy, dipsy doo dum. Wash your hands and clean your teeth, When you need to do them, That’s the way we’ll all keep well, Ipsy, dipsy doo dum. No more achey teeth for me. No more nasty flu germs, Now you know just what to do, Ipsy, dipsy doo dum. |
It’s time for us to go 🔊 An end of school day transition song, (three little songs in one);
come together, reflect and say goodbye. Each preschool is different so feel free to adapt this to your own
circumstances; you can use these three songs as one or individually depending
on the age of your children. 1. Coming together in a circle clap hands. 2. Sit or stand and sway
gently fro side to side. Children indicate weather with a hand sign and call
out: Sunny! Windy! Rain! Snowy! etc.. Insert days particular activities to
make the song more personal. 3. Wave and shake hands. |
It’s time for us to go,
(CLAP! CLAP!) It’s time for us to go,
(CLAP! CLAP!) Ee-ie the ad-di-o, It’s time for us to go.
(CLAP! CLAP!) (or STAMP! STAMP! or
both!) We’ve sung our songs, had
storytime, We’ve been outside come
rain or shine, (SUNNY! RAINY! etc.) We’ve played together, had
lots of fun, It’s time to go, for
school is done. Goodbye, everyone,
goodbye, Goodbye, everyone,
goodbye, We’ll see you again,
tomorrow (next week / whenever / on Monday etc..) my friends, We’ll see you then,
goodbye. |
It’s time to put our coats
on 🔊 A song for a chilly day. Get outside in every weather but make sure
clothing is fit for the conditions. This song can be used for any sort of weather; encourage children to
make suitable choices. |
It's
time to put our coats on, Our coats on, our coats on, It's time to put our coats on, It's so cold outside! With winter winds blowing, And rosy cheeks glowing, It's time to put our coats on, It's so cold outside! |
Kangaroo leaps A lively Aussie baby bounce. Words by Dany Rosevear adapted from another rhyme heard some time ago. Jog baby / toddler on lap with high bounces. Lay child gently on lap
tucked between legs. Resume bounces then lift child high in the air and zoom
from side to side. |
Kangaroo leaps high in the
air, Jumpety jump! With never a
care; Joey sleeps snug down in
her pocket, And dreams of flying, up,
up in a rocket! WHEEEEE! |
Little butterfly in the kitchen 🔊 A delightfully funny action
song from Brazil for the very young with a distinctive rhythm. It can be
dramatized as below or older children may like to play this game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYIF-dKD8is
It sounds much more
impressive in its original language!! 1. Flap arms like a butterfly. 2. Imitate mixing
with one hand while holding a bowl with the other. 3. Wiggle down on the beat
and point to leg. 4. Point to eye, place thumb on the nose and the other
thumb touches the pinky of the other hand while tapping the fingers. |
Little butterfly Is in the kitchen, To make some chocolata For her grandmama. In goes some prawns, A wooden leg, One shiny glass eye, And a woodpecker’s beak, beak, beak. Borboletinha Tá na cozinha Fazendo chocolate Para a madrinha. Poti, poti Perna de pau Olho de vidro E nariz de Pica-pau pau pau. |
Little friend,
let’s merry be
🔊 This is a simple partner
game from Germany which was translated by Mabel F. Wilson in 1961 for OUP’s
‘Music Time’. Line 1. Each child faces a partner. 2. They join
hands. 3. They take two sliding steps to the left and then to the right. 4.
Swing round together on the spot. Verses 2 and 3: Repeat the dance keeping hands
joined. |
Little friend, let's merry be, Stretch out both you hands to me; Tripping here and tripping there, Then turn round as light as air. You love dancing I can tell, And you’ve learned this lesson well. Tripping here and tripping there, Then turn round as light as air. Once more let us play this game, It is fun to do the same. Tripping here and tripping there, Then turn round as light as air. |
Little horses, little
horses 🔊 Can also be sung as a lullaby. Stay still and then gallop or trot through open spaces and then come
together and settle calmly. Encourage children to be aware of others moving and give each other
plenty ofspace. This is a version of ‘My horses ain’t hungry’ for the very young as
suggested by Ruth Crawford Seeger in her wonderful ‘American folk songs for
children’. I have adapted the verses to provide a sequence. 1. ‘Horse’ wake up
stretching and eat hay, look around and begin to gallop. 2. Move faster,
music is played to extend galloping play 3. Move back to the barn. 4. Settle
down and ‘sleep’ with hands to cheek. |
Little horses, little
horses, Come out of your barn, The door is wide open, The sunshine is warm. Faster: Little horses, little
horses, Come gallop away, The prairie’s wide open, It’s time for your play. La, lala, la, lala … Music plays Little horses, little
horses, Come back to your barn. The door is wide open, Your blankets are warm. Little horses, little
horses, Everything is all right; Curl up on your blankets And sleep through the
night. |
Little snail / Lilla snigel O A nursey rhyme from Sweden. Hear it sung in Swedish at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSfUc47P8iY
With fist closed and two
fingers out and move hand up arm. Wag finger. Repeat then cuddle snail. |
Little snail take care,
take care, Here and there,
everywhere. Little snail take care,
take care, Or I'll pick you up! Lilla snigel, akta dej, akta dej, akta dej, Lilla snigel, akta dej, Annars tar jag dej. Little snail, please come
to me, Come to me, come to me! Little Snail, please come
to me, I’ll give you a hug! Lilla snigel kom till mig, Kom till mig, kom till mig! Lilla snigel kom till mig, Jag vill krama dig! |
Little spider 🔊 Play or jump to the beat. A song from Hungary
translated by Jean Sinor. Subsequent verses by Dany
Rosevear. Make spider jump on your hand in time to the beat and then on
different parts of the body. Or: 1. Tumble one forearm round the other one
way then the other. Twinkle fingers and form a round sun. 2. Spider hand
jumps on different parts of the body. Alternatively: Act out making web then jump in time to the music
touching different parts of the body. Finish by sitting down with spider
hands resting on tummy. |
Little Spider spins all
day, Spins while all the others
play. Then the web is fin’lly
done, Shining in the morning
sun. Jumping, jumping, merrily; On my neck, then on my nose, Now it’s jumping on my toes. WHEEE!! Watch it jump upon my head, On my shoulders, on my legs, On my back then on my tum; Slowly: It’s sleepy now for day is
done. |
Mary come a-runnin’ 🔊 Become familiar with the days of the week and identify which day it is
before singing this song. Ask individual children to choose a movement for
the others to perform. Learn to move without touching others and in and out of spaces. This song has its roots in the spiritual ‘Sister Mary come a-runnin’’
and the Easter story. Move freely in and out of
each other. |
Mary come a-runnin’ on
Monday morning, Monday morning, Monday
morning, Mary come a-runnin’ on
Monday morning, Monday morning, soon! Isaac come a-runnin’ on
Tuesday morning, Tuesday morning, Tuesday
morning, Isaac come a-runnin’ on
Tuesday morning, Tuesday morning, soon! Martha come a-runnin’ on
Wednesday morning, Wednesday morning,
Wednesday morning, Martha come a-runnin’ on
Wednesday morning, Wednesday morning, soon! |
Mrs. Snail 🔊 A very simple hand play. Young children are fascinated by snails and love to watch how they
retract their horns when touched. Alan came in from the garden this morning most indignant that all the
tender Lupin seedlings planted out yesterday afternoon had been decimated by
our greedy guzzling snails. Darn! From ‘Mostly Rhythm’ published in Australia in 1945? Words and music
by: Zoe R. McHenry, find out more here: http://www.move.com.au/artist/zoe-mchenry
Music arranged by Dany Rosevear. Raise first and second
fingers to make horns. Move fist along forearm. |
Mrs. Snail! Mrs. Snail! You leave a lovely silver
trail, And we can see just where
you’ve been, Slow Mrs. Snail! |
Morning wishes 🔊 A cheerful start to the day song. |
We come from many places, With happy smiling faces, Our sunny voices bringing, To start the day with
singing, Good morning! Good
morning! Good morning to you! |
Mother, may I go out to swim? O Another
way to learn your alphabet. This song
has its origins in a much older song bought over to the Americas by
Europeans; this children’s version has been sung for well over a hundred
years as a way of passing on learning of the alphabet down to new
generations. For more
information see: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=30547
|
Mud pies 🔊 Written by Margaret E. Sangster, music by Marshall Bartholomew and
arranged by Dany Rosevear. Add a spoon of sugar, wiggle
fingers, place palms together and turn over, rub tummy. Shake finger, roll
palms together, shape sun and wiggle fingers upwards, raise thumb. |
Sweetened with sugar And sprinkled with spice, Apple turnovers Really are nice; But make-believe mud pies Are a great deal more fun, When little cooks bake them Out here in the sun.. |
My wonderful bundle of fun
/ Pie in the sky 🔊 A waltz tune for those moments of happiness you feel like dancing with
baby! Words and music by Dany Rosevear. Dance with baby, then raise
them up high and drop down low. |
My wonderful bundle, my bundle of fun, My wonderful bundle of fun, My pie in the sky Flies up, up so high, Up and over the moon, Then down, down, down too soon! |
Niddledy noddledy 🔊 A bedtime song from Linda Chesterman’s ‘Music for the nursery school’
published in 1935. Source of words are unknown. Sing ‘Turn off the light!’ if
you rather sing the non-traditional version. Second verse adapted by Dany
Rosevear. Children can mimic the going
to bed routine. |
Niddledy, noddledy,
to and fro, Tired
and sleepy, to rest we go. Jump
into bed! Blow
out the light! Head
on the pillow... Shut
your eyes tight! Shut
your eyes tight! Shut
your eyes tight! Head
on the pillow... Goodnight,
goodnight! |
On my face I have a nose 🔊 Learn to recognise and name each part of the body. Music arranged by Dany Rosevear. Point to each part of the
body as it is mentioned. Run on the spot, raise arms and wave. |
On my face I have a nose, Way down here I have ten
toes, I have two eyes that I can
blink, I have a head to help me
think, I have a chin and very
near, I have two ears to help me
hear, I have a mouth from which
to speak, And when I run I use my
feet. Here are my arms to hold
up high… And here’s a hand to wave
good-bye! |
One little bumble bee O A baby play song from Finland. I would love to hear it sung in Finnish! If you have come across the
words do let me know at: singingchildren@aol.com Encourage older children to identify / choose where the bee might land
next. With thumb and finger together
lightly tap part of the body mentioned. Buzz as it flies off to
another part and ask, ‘Where is it going next?’ |
One little bumble bee, One little bumble bee, One little bumble bee, Bouncing on your head. Bzzzzzzz! ...bouncing on your chin, arm, knee, tummy or any
other part of the body. |
Owl in the tree says,
“Whoo, whoo, whoo!”🔊 Give children the confidence to introduce themselves to others in a
comfortable setting. Pass a toy owl round the
circle, when the song stops the child holding the owl tells the others his or
her name. Make sure everyone gets a turn. Older children can more add
information ‘My name is… and I like to….’ |
Owl in the tree says, “Whoo,
whoo, whoo!” Owl in the tree says,
“Whoo, whoo, whoo!” Owl in the tree says,
“Whoo, whoo, whoo, Whoo, whoo are you?” |
Pickles in the pickle pot 🔊 This simple rhyme has lovely speech sounds that the toddler with
listen to with concentration. It can be used to distract a child while nappy
changing. Music by Dany Rosevear. Squeeze each cheek gently. Tickle
tummy and then under the chin. |
Pickles in the pickle pot, Cookies in the tin, Tickles on the tummy, And underneath the chin. |
Pray open your umbrella 🔊 A classic from ‘This little puffin’ published 1969. 1. Mime opening umbrella,
put hands and arms over the head. 2. Wiggle fingers downwards, close
umbrella. |
Pray open your umbrella, Pray open your umbrella, Pray open your umbrella, To shield me from the rain. The shower is nearly over, The shower is nearly over, The shower is nearly over, So shut it up again. |
Puppy’s little paddy paws 🔊 Words and music by Dany
Rosevear. 1st verse 1. Make
a running movement on palm of hand. 2. Stroke cheek, tickle toes. 3. Waggle
‘tail’ forefinger. 4. Wiggle baby’s nose. 2nd verse
1.&2. As before. 3. Run finger round palm. 4. As before. |
Puppy’s little paddy paws, scamper to and fro, Kittens little whiskers tickle tickle toes, Here comes little lambkin, dressed in bells and
bows, Mummy’s pickle sneezes, “Atchoo!” with her teeny
tiny nose. Puppy’s little paddy paws, scamper to and fro, Kittens little whiskers tickle tickle toes, Round about the garden where the fragrant roses
grow, Mummy’s pickle sneezes, “Atchoo!” with her teeny
tiny nose. |
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