For the
very young R-W
Rabbit
ain’t got no tail at all
Reach
for the stars (Bend and stretch)
Roly
poly, roly poly
Rose,
Rose, and up she rises
Round
and round the lighthouse (and more)
Sailing
to storyland
Sana,
sana, colita de rana
Skip around
the room
See how I’m jumping
See the ponies galloping
Sometimes I’m very, very small
Stop! Look! Listen!
Sweet water rolling
Swing me over the water
Tall and small
Thank you friends and everyone
The alphabet song
The big black crow
The birds in the trees
The
little white duck
There
is someone who is hiding
There’s
a little bunny
This
little hand is a good little hand
Three
little ducklings
Thumbkin,
Pointer
Tickle
the clouds
Time
to put your coat on
Turn around
and touch the ground
Vegetables
are good for me
“Wake!”
says the sunshine
We’re
clapping
What
little animals say
Where,
oh where has my little dog gone?
Who
is the bees knees?
Wiggly
is a wee, wee worm
Last updated: 7/19/2021
10:47 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:
·
you must give the original author credit
·
you may not use this work for commercial purposes
·
for any re-use or distribution, you must make clear to others the
licence terms of this work
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any of these can be waived if you get permission from the copyright
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Your
fair use and other rights are no way affected by the above.
|
A traditional
song sung to the tune of ‘Mary had a little lamb’. It is possible that this
song originated in the Afro American plantations as the rabbit – a wily
fellow. We all
need to live a more simple life and with less clutter we might be a happier
too. Mime
actions.
|
|
Reach for the stars (Bend and stretch) O
Exercise, music and information about the solar system – what is not
to like! This song came from the long running TV series for 4-5 year olds
‘Romper Room’. Produced in the USA it was syndicated to many English speaking
countries. The third verse has been added for those children fascinated by the
solar system. 1st verse: 1. Bend
low and stretch arms up high 2. With arms up high bend to the left and then
the right. 3. As before 4. Reach up high on tiptoes. 2nd verse: 1. As
before 2-4. Whirl round and round, up and down. 3rd verse: 1. As before 2-3. Touch head and toes, repeat and
reverse. 4. Slowly sink down, crouch, put hands to cheek and sleep. |
|
Bend and stretch, reach for the stars, There goes Jupiter, here comes Mars. Bend and stretch, reach for the sky, Stand on tippy toes, oh so high! Bend and stretch, ever so high, Mercury, Venus and Saturn go by, Planets, stars, comets, the moon, See them twinkle and shimmer and zoom. Bend and stretch, see me grow, I'm so tall from head to toe! Head to toe , toe to head, Down, down, down in my warm snug bed. |
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Learn about opposites, to distinguish
between left and right and how to be still. The first verse alone might be
enough for the youngest children. Roll arms round each other and follow the actions suggested by the
words. On the last word fold arms and remain very still; not an easy task! |
|
Roly poly, roly poly, up, up, up, Roly poly, roly poly, down, down, down. Roly poly, roly poly, out, out, out, Roly poly, roly poly, in, in, in. Roly poly, roly poly, high, high, high, Roly poly, roly poly, low, low, low. Roly poly, roly poly, oh, so slow, Roly poly, roly poly, fast, fast, fast. Roly poly, roly poly, left, left, left, Roly poly, roly poly, right, right, right. Roly poly, roly poly, go, go, go, Roly poly, roly poly, roly poly… STOP! |
|
Rose, Rose, and up she
rises 🔊
A waking-up song from Kentucky and collected by Cecil Sharp; based on
‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor’. Exchange names to suit the
audience. |
|
Rose, Rose, and up she rises, Rose, Rose, and up she rises, Rose, Rose, and up she rises, So early in the morning. What shall we do with sleepy Cameron, What shall we do with sleepy Cameron, What shall we do with sleepy Cameron, So early in the morning. Wake him up and shake him up, Wake him up and shake him up, Wake him up and shake him up, So early in the morning. Hooray and up he rises, Hooray and up he rises, Hooray and up he rises, So early in the morning. |
|
Round and round the
lighthouse
Three more tickle rhymes very similar to the classic ‘Round and round
the garden’: Round and round the garden - three tickle rhymes -
YouTube 1. Fingers walk round child’s feet then lower legs. Walk fingers up upper
legs to tummy. Lift child into the air. 2. Circle baby’s palm with finger.
Walk up arm. Tickle under the arm. 3. Gently spin child. Hug child. Lift
child into the air. |
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Round and round the lighthouse, Up the spiral stair, One step, two steps, And right up in the air! Round and round the forest, Like a little deer, One step, two steps, And tickle you under here! Round the world, round the world, To catch a great big bear, Where are we going to catch him? Right up there! |
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Sana sana colita de
rana 🔊
A traditional rhyme to help children recover from every day scrapes,
bumps and bruises; gently rub the affected part as you sing the song. There are some lovely ideas to help young children learn the Spanish
names of parts of the body linked with this song at: http://www.spanishplayground.net/sana-sana-colita-de-rana-body-parts-lesson/. |
|
Sana sana colita de rana, si no sanas hoy, sanarás mañana Heal, heal, heal, Little tail of the frog. If you don’t heal today, You will heal tomorrow. |
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Sailing to storyland 🔊
A story time ritual, transition song and hand play. For calling everyone
to a story or bedtime. You can also see this song most charmingly performed
by ‘Mama Riya B’ who I also presume wrote it and also listen to a delightful
little story at: bakerwoman.MP4
- YouTube. I have adapted the song very slightly for a wider audience. 1. Throw out hands, hands across heart, place hands side by side. 2.
Place one hand over the top of the other. 2. Rest hands upward on top of the
other and rock. |
|
Everyone loves fairytales, So come and hold my hand; In a boat we shall set sail, To the storyland. |
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This lovely tune in the minor key is Flemish folk air. The words come
from Angela Diller and Elizabeth Quaile’s ‘First solo book’. Jump up and down in time to
the music; on the word ‘still’ freeze for a long pause and then begin jumping
again. |
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See how I'm jumping, jumping, jumping! See how I'm jumping everywhere! You didn't know I could jump so high. You didn't know I could stand so still. See how I'm jumping, jumping, jumping! When I am tired, down I flop. See how I'm jumping, jumping, jumping! See how I'm bouncing like a ball! You didn't know I could jump so high. You didn't know I could stand so still. See how I'm jumping, jumping, jumping! When I am tired, then I stop. |
|
See the ponies
galloping 🔊
Move fast, move slow. This can be played as a lap play game with baby or used for young
children to gallop in a big space or round in a circle. Gallop fast around the room before
slowing down and then bringing everyone together to sit calmly in a circle. |
|
See the ponies galloping, galloping, down the
country lane, See the ponies galloping, galloping down the
country lane, See the ponies galloping, galloping down the
country lane. See the ponies coming home, all tired out, All tired out, all, tired, out! |
|
This has
been traditionally sung in the U.S.A. as an energetic follow up to the Happy
Birthday song. More usually the third line is sung as ‘We won’t shut up…’! Skipping
is a quite difficult movement for young feet and you might need to teach children
how to skip – step, hop, step, hop. Get them to suggest other ways to move. Start in a space and encourage children to give each other plenty of
room as they move about.
|
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Sometimes I’m very,
very small O
Learn the concept of tall and small or play for an opposites theme in
this song by Edith Hedley. This game is played with two or more children or with an adult and
child. Initially one child crouches
down and then stands very tall. The second child then turns away with eyes
covered and guesses whether the first child is standing tall or crouching. If
correct they swap places. |
|
Sometimes I’m very, very small, Sometimes I’m very, very tall: Shut your eyes and turn around, And guess which I am now? |
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Stop! Look! Listen! 🔊
A transition song and a simple way to get busy children’s attention. 1. Put up palm of hand, point
to eyes, cup ear. Point to children then self. As before. |
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Stop! Look! Listen! Eyes on me, Time to stop / change / start / your activity. Every child look this way, For I have words I need to say, Stop! Look! Listen! Eyes on me, Time to stop / change / start / your activity. |
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Sweet water rolling 🔊
A song from South Carolina that can be used as a ball rolling activity
for parents and children; parent / carer sit in a circle with a baby /
youngsterbetween their legs and roll the ball to another pair. Older ones
might be able to cope with the game below. Sit opposite your toddler
and gently roll the ball to their outstretched legs. Encourage them to roll
it back. |
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Sweet
water roll, Rolling
from the fountain, Sweet
water roll. |
|
Swing me over the
water 🔊
Young children love to be swung between to adults, ideally kicking an
adult in front with their feet! This song would be a good one to accompany
such foolishness. Traditionally in the playground it was used for skipping
and ball bouncing. Sit opposite your toddler
and gently roll the ball to their outstretched legs. Encourage them to roll
it back. |
|
Swing me over the water, Swing me over the sea. Swing me over the garden wall And swing me home for tea. Swing me over the tree tops, Swing me over the zoo, Swing me over the garden wall And swing me back to you. |
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Tall and small 🔊
Move up and down to learn the concepts of tall, small and high. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Stand tall like a giant.
2. Slowly sink to the floor. 3. Slowly rise. 4. Stand tall, stretch, and
reach arms high. |
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Here is a giant who is tall, tall, tall, Here is an elf who is small, small, small. The elf who is small will try, try, try, To reach to the giant who is high, high, high. |
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Thank you friends and
everyone 🔊
A simple end of school day
transition song; come together, say thank you, get ready to go and a chanted
reminder. Each preschool is different so feel free to adapt the words to your
own circumstances or age of your children. Words by Dany Rosevear,
music set to a familiar tune. 1. Come together in a circle. 2. Leader points to her eyes and self.
3. Clap twice, stamp twive, do both three times. 4. Wave high and low, draw
smile on face, give a high five to a classmate or helper. 5. Chant: Stamp for
each words of first line. Tap a finger for each reminder. |
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Come together, we've had fun, Thank you friends and everyone, Join our circle, eyes on me, Clap, clap, stamp, stamp, one, two, three, Give a little wave, high then low, Big smiles, high fives, ready to go. Chant: Salt, mustard vinegar, pepper; Books, bags, boots, coats, gloves and
letters! |
|
The alphabet song O Learn about the names and the sounds of the letters of the alphabet in
this extended version by Dany Rosevear.
|
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The big black crow 🔊
From ‘Child-Land in Song and Rhythm’ by Harriet Blanche Jones, music
by Florence Newell Barbour published in 1913. Flap around room, open and
close arms. Stop and put hand to mouth, stamp three times. |
|
The big black crow sings a very funny song, “Caw, caw, caw!” It calls to the farmer all day long, “Corn, corn, corn!” |
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The birds in the trees 🔊
A calm hand play or action song. This is a song for adapting and can be just about birds or include farm animals, jungle creatures or just children. Based on Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach Adapted
by Eric Litwin and Michael
Levine. The verses here have been adapted by Dany Rosevear. Verse 1. Open and close
thumbs and forefingers. 2. Cross hands at wrists and flap or move around the
room flying. 3. Hop around room. 4. Settle with hands to cheek. 5. Put
fingers to head like horns. |
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The birds in the trees like to sing in the Spring, They go la la la la, la la la la. The birds in the trees like to sing in the Spring, They go la la la la, la la la la. The birds in the sky like to whistle and fly… The birds on the ground like to hop all around… The birds in their nest like to snuggle at rest… The cows in the barn like to sing in the Spring. They go moo moo moo moo, moo moo moo moo. The cows in the barn like to sing in the Spring. They go moo moo moo moo, moo moo moo moo. SPOKEN:
Oh no, they’ve woken up the little birds! |
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Recognise the noise animals make
and enjoy a big roar at the end of this song by Leigh Wigglesworth. Second antipodean
verse was written by Dany Rosevear. |
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The little white duck says, ‘Quack, quack, quack,’ The donkey says, ‘Ee-yore’, The little pink pig says, ‘Oink, oink, oink,’ And the lion? He says, ‘ROARRR!’ The red kangaroo goes, ‘Thump, thump, thump,’ The black crow just says, ‘Caw!’ The old crocodile goes, ‘Snap, snap, snap,’ And koala sleeps and snores! |
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There is someone who is hiding 🔊
Words and music by Henrietta Clark
from Australian Play School. Place toddler in a box, Open it slowly
and shout, “Peek-a-boo!” Alternatively place baby on your
lap facing forward, cover eyes with hands, open and call, “Peek-a-boo!” |
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There is someone who is hiding, Who is it? Do you know who? There is someone who is hiding, It’s (name) Peekaboo! |
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There’s a little bunny
🔊
An Easter hand play. 1. Make ‘bunny’ hand sit on
fist. 2. Make bunny ears on head. 3. Point to other children on ‘your’ and
self on ‘mine’. 4. Clap the rhythm. |
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There’s a little bunny, sitting on a hill, With his ears standing up he sits very still. Will he come to your house, will he come to mine? Hop over bunny at Easter time. |
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This little hand is a
good little hand 🔊
A hand washing song for the very young. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Wave hand. 2. Wave the
other. 3. Mime washing hands. 4. Put up thumbs. |
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This little hand is a good little hand, And this little hand is its brother. Together they wash and they wash and they wash; One hand washes the other! |
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Three little ducklings
🔊
A number song and hand play from ‘Singing fun’ by Lucille F. Wood and
Louise B. Scott first published 1954. 1. Flap hands. 2. Hold up
three fingers, make elbows flap. 3. Flap hands, open and close thumb and
fingers. 4. Clap the rhythm. |
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Paddle, paddle,
paddle, off they go, Three
little ducklings all in a row. Paddle,
paddle, paddle, Quack! Quack! Quack! Off
to the pond, around and back. |
|
Thumbkin, Pointer 🔊
A simple hand play. Fingers have been given many names but very young children
love to hear new sounds and are fascinated by their fingers. Melody by Dany Rosevear. With a baby touch each finger one at a time then roll hands round each
other. Raise fingers one at a time
then wiggle them all. |
|
Thumbkin, Pointer, Middleman big, Silly man, Wee man, Rig a jig jig. |
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Tickle the clouds 🔊
A great
excuse for a stretch after storytime and with the second verse a bedtime
song. Music and
second verse by Dany Rosevear. Move as the words suggest making a big
stretches when reaching up. |
|
Tickle the clouds. Tickle your toes. Turn around And tickle your nose. Reach down low. Reach up high. Storytime’s over So wave goodbye! Wave to the stars. Wave to the moon. Jump into your rocket And “Zoom, zoom, zoom!” Pull up the covers And snuggle down tight. Sweet dreams are calling, “Goodnight, goodnight.” |
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Time to put your coat on 🔊
Encourage independence in dressing for outdoor play as cooler days
approach. Children will also learn to distinguish left and right. This song
will work well for other seasonal clothing. Set up a challenge to put on each item of clothing before the verse
ends. |
|
It’s time to put your coat
on, coat on, coat on, Time to put your coat on,
one, two, three! It’s time to put your coat
on, coat on, coat on, Time to put your coat on,
one, two, three! Arm in the left, arm in
the right, Wiggle and jiggle and pull
it on tight. Arm in the left, arm in
the right, Wiggle and jiggle and pull
it on tight. It’s time to put your coat
on, coat on, coat on, Time to put your coat on,
one, two, three! Gloves / hand in the left… Boots / foot in the left… |
|
Turn around and touch the ground O
Children love the opportunity to spin and fall. Older children would
enjoy other instructions learning about parts of the body: wiggle your hips,
slap your knees, nod your head etc. |
|
Turn around and touch the
ground, Turn around and touch the
ground, Turn around and touch the
ground, And fall right down! Turn around and stretch up
high, Turn around and stretch up
high, Turn around and stretch up
high, And fall right down! |
|
Vegetables are good
for me 🔊
Use this song to promote healthy eating. It could be sung while
preparing fruit for the lunch box or school snacks. Second and third verse by
Dany Rosevear; encourage children to help make up new verses with their own
fruit and veggie favourites. |
|
Carrots, peas and
broccoli, Vegetables are good for
me, For my snack and in my
lunch, Veggie sticks are good to
munch, Carrots, peas and
broccoli, Vegetables are good for
me! Cucumber, tomatoes too, Eating salad’s good for
you, For my snack and in my lunch, Lettuce leaves are good to
crunch, Cucumber, tomatoes too, Eating salad’s good for
you! Bananas, cherries,
strawberries, Fruity treats are good for
me, Apples, pears and juicy
plums Hello mouth here I come! Bananas, cherries,
strawberries, Fruity treats are good for
me! |
|
“Wake!” says the
sunshine 🔊
A simple morning circle game for Springtime. This can be found in ‘Music for the Nursery School’ by Linda
Chesterman, published 1935. Music by Dany Rosevear. Verse 1. Children ‘sleep’ in
a circle and one child walks round tapping each child gently to wake them up.
Give a big stretch. If necessay sing the verse twice. Verse 2. Children hold hands
and walk or skip round. |
|
"Wake!" says the sunshine,"It's
time to get up. Wake little daisies, and sweet buttercup. Wake little daisies, and sweet buttercup. Wake little children, and come out to play, Wake! for the world is so happy today!" Wake! for the world is so happy today!" |
|
A movement
activity for the very young. Adapted by
Dany Rosevear from a Dutch nursery favourite. Stand in a
space. Move around the room clapping. Stand
still and make two firm claps on CLAP!
CLAP! Continue moving performing a new action each time a couplet is sung. At the end of the third verse stand still and take a picture. Last verse pair up with a partner and shake hands then wave move to a space
and sit.
|
|
What little animals
say 🔊
A song with descending pitch. Hand play devised by Dany Rosevear. From ‘Music for the nursery school’ published by Linda Chestermanin
1935. Written by E.S and adapted by S.D&J. whoever they may be!!! Pigeon: hands to cheek. Cow:
forefingers make horns on head. Lambkin: waggle forefingers for lambs tails.
Crow: open and close thumb and forefinger. Owl: thumb and forefinger round
eyes. Kitten: brush whiskers. Duckling: spread fingers of hand and make them
waddle. Hen: Flap elbows. |
|
Pigeon coo, coo, Moo-cow moo, moo, Lambkin, baa, baa, Black crow, caw, caw, Brown owl, hoo, hoo, Kitten, mew, mew, Duckling, quack, quack, Hen says, cluck, cluck. |
|
More often
recognized as a traditional American song it was in fact written by Septimus Winner
in 1855 to a German tune. The original version was a rather gruesome one
where the dog gets turned into sausages. It was
also very popular on children’s radio when I was a child in the 1950s. For more
information on this song visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimus_Winner
|
|
Who is the bees knees? 🔊
A baby or toddler bounce. The ‘bees knees’ is something wonderful, the
best, a sweetheart. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. & 2. Bounce child on
lap. 3. Hold hands and push and pull backwards and forwards. 4. Bounce child
on lap and then drop between legs. 5. Cuddle child, then tap on nose. |
|
Who is the bees knees, Bees knees, bees knees, Who is the bees knees, Bouncing up and down? Greta is the bees knees, Bees knees, bees knees, Greta is the bees knees, Bouncing up and down! OUCH! It stung me! Push me, push me on the swing please, Swing please, swing please, Push me, push me on the swing please, Flying up and down! Buttercups and daisies, Daisies, daisies, Buttercups and daisies, All fall down! Ivan needs a big squeeze, A big squeeze, a big squeeze, Ivan needs a big squeeze, To mend a grumpy frown. |
|
Wiggly is a wee wee
worm 🔊
A tickle or finger rhyme. A good one to encourage concentration. Music by Dany Rosevear. 1. Hold up index finger. 2. Wiggle
finger round. 3. Wiggle finger left, then to the right. 4. Wiggle finger near
toes. 5. Wiggle finger up to nose. 6. Wiggle finger down to waist. 7. Creep
into imaginary pocket, hands to head with eyes closed. |
|
Who
wiggles everywhere, Can
you keep an eye on it, As
it wiggles here and there? Wiggly
starts down at my toes, And
wiggles way up to my nose! It
wiggles back down without a peep, Creeps
into my pocket and goes to sleep! |
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