I am planning preschool lessons and trying to find good songs. Please let me know if you know any good preschool movement songs. I know there are a lot of good knew songs that I don't know the names of! Thank you!
We were introduced to Charlotte Diamond when my son was in preschool. Her cd, "10 Carrot Diamond," is fantastic!
You need some Dr. jean CDs. They are awesome, funny, and teach while having fun. My KG kids LOVED them and so did my Pre K kids and even 1st grade. Go to her site, she's got lesson ideas and links to the songs. Now, I will say upfront that her voice isn't that great, but the kids don't care at all. http://www.drjean.org/
Hi M.,
The teacher in my daughter's pre-K class used a CD called "Kids in Motion" by Greg and Steve. Here's a link to it on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Kids-Motion-Greg-Steve/dp/B00000AG63 . The teacher had the kids dance and act out the songs. The song "Animal Action" was VERY popular; the kids would act out the animals in the song. She would distribute bean bags for "Bean Bag Boogie". The "Freeze" song was also very popular with the kids. My daughter liked the tape so much I bought other "Greg and Steve" tapes for her. I bought them at my local educational supplies store. If you don't have one, use the link I provided or do an internet search.
Good luck and have lots of fun! Preschoolers are awesome!
I second some of the songs on other answers I just read. We loved "5 Green and Speckled Frogs" (my daughter also sang it when we found a frog in our pool . . . LOL) and "Shake, Shake, Shake Your Sillies Out" and don't forget the good old "Hokey Pokey" and "Bingo". She loved "Barney" songs, too. Especially, the "All the Raindrops" one.
Anything by Barney, "Head shoulders knees and toes", itsy bitsy spider,
patty cake, Old MacDonald, B.I.N.G.O., 5 little monkeys (jumping on the bed), If you're happy and you know it.
Greg & Steve Kids in Action
I used to sing this with my preschoolers (age 2). It's good to get them into a circle for circle time. You say a child's name, and go through all their names until you sing for every child. You clap as you sing: Let's say your class has a Braden, Jake, Molly, and Tabitha. Here's what you sing: Braden, Braden, jump up and down; jump up and down, jump up and down; Braden, Braden, jump up and down, now sit, (pause) right back down. Obviously, he jumps as everyone sings through the song, then he sits back down when the song ends. Then after he sits, move on to Jake: Jake, Jake, jump up and down; jump up and down; jump up and down. Jake, Jake, jump up and down, now sit, (pause) right back down. Then sing for Molly and Tabitha. It's a great way to get them to stop playing and transition into circle time. My kids loved it! My boss who evaluated me and saw me doing this loved it too!
Go to the kids section of the library and check out some CDs or DVDs. The CDs will give you the songs and you can look for DVDs that are sing-a-long since they will most likely have movements.
You have some good song suggestions, The Wiggles, Sesame Street, Disney, Dora, etc. You could introduce them to Mary Poppins, Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang, and other classic kids’ shows.
There is also a GREAT kids group called Go Fish - they do Christian pop-style music for kids - my kids and I really like them! Check them out on YouTube or http://www.gofishguys.com/cms/.
One of my personal favorites (and my daughter's too): Five green and speckled frogs"
Check out The Wiggles, Laurie Berkner, Barney, VeggieTales, Imagination Movers, etc. They all have some very cute songs that include movements :)
There are all kinds of children's songs CD's. 'The Wheels on the Bus go Round Round Round' is a favorite. Sesame Street and The Wiggles have some good songs too. Old songs to you and me will still be new for any preschooler hearing it for the first time.
Check out The Big Green Rabbit on YouTube. We love The Anaconda Song and The Iguana Song.
Also, They Might Be Giants have some great kids songs.
Weels on The Bus.
Sally The Camel
I second Raffi, for sure! Even the songs that don't have specific movements can be used. You just add your own. They are all pretty easy to create movements for. I grew up on Raffi and so are my kids!
quick answer...
we love
if all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops...
and our fave is "i'm bringing home a baby bumble bee"
you can google these kid songs or trying visitng youtube for demos on them
also ask former teachers their faves.
when at youtue type in kids songs hands and you will find several different versions of common songs.....
hope this helped
-mb
Raffi has some cute ones. "Shake My Sillies Out" comes to mind (it has other verses like jump my jitters out etc.), "Brush my Teeth" there's a ton.
Even at Target there's usually an endcap display with various compilation cds. There will be ones for Sleep etc, but there's probably a Pre-School Movement cd or Pre-School favorites or something.
My son has had a CD called "Classic Dance Songs" since he was a baby. It's great. It has things like CanCan and Jump etc.
I do not remember them since my kids are 10 and 13, but they took a music class at Gymboree. Perhaps you can ask to observe a class there? Also, when you google "movement songs for preschool" there are some good links. Here is one: http://www.songsforteaching.com/movement.htm
They seem to have categories of what they teach, as well as downloads.
Have fun planning your lessons.
