Singing Activities
LULLABIES
Lullabies can be opportunities to practice beautiful singing, and also create calming, centering moments in the classroom. When integrating lullabies into the classroom, the children can:
Move naturally as they listen or sing, rocking their bodies along with the music.
Sing softly and smoothly, and practice singing piano and legato.
Hum
Show the flow of sounds and phrases of the song in the air, using their arms, a scarf, or a ribbon.
Draw while listening with a marker or crayon, showing the smoothness of the song.
Choose an instrument, or a sound that they can make with their hands, that has a timbre that feels like it goes well with the song.
All the Pretty Little Horses, U.S.A. - all ages
Arrorró Mi Niño, Puerto Rico - all ages
Hei Luulil, Finland - all ages
Lavender’s Blue, England - all ages
Peace Like a River, U.S.A. - all ages
Sleep, Children, Sleep, Germany - all ages
Sulla Lulla, Norway - all ages
Toora, Loora, Loora, Ireland - all ages
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, France and England - all ages
Traditional Favorites
Singing known, familiar, and favorite songs is a wonderful way to encourage confident group singing.
ABC, France and U.S.A. - all ages
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, U.S.A. - all ages
London Bridge, Great Britain - all ages
Mary Had a Little Lamb, U.S.A. - all ages
Rain, Rain, Go Away, England - all ages
Row, Row, Row Your Boat, U.S.A. - all ages
She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain, U.S.A. - all ages
This Little Light of Mine, U.S.A. - all ages
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, France and England - all ages
ANIMAL SONGS
Animal songs provide creative opportunities for vocal exploration. Singing animal sounds is a fun way for children to experiment with their voices, and to add new sounds and expressive qualities to their singing.
Ah, Poor Bird, England - suggested for ages 3-5
Five Little Ducks, U.S.A. - all ages
Hop, Hop Went the Little Green Frogs, U.S.A. - all ages
Kokoleoko, Liberia - suggested for ages 3-5
Mary Had a Little Lamb, U.S.A. - all ages
Mr. Frog, U.S.A. - all ages
When Sheep Get Up in the Morning, U.S.A. - all ages
SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Arrorró Mi Niño, Puerto Rico - all ages
Boots of Shining Leather, Hungary - suggested for ages 3-5
Cucanandy, Ireland - all ages
Dance with Me, Germany - all ages
Haida, Israel - suggested for ages 3-5
Hei Luulil, Finland - all ages
Kokoleoko, Liberia - suggested for ages 3-5
Senwa De Dende, Ghana - all ages
Shalom Chaverim, Israel - suggested for ages 3-5
Sleep, Children, Sleep, Germany - all ages
Sulla Lulla, Norway - all ages
Toora, Loora, Loora, Ireland - all ages
COUNTING SONGS
Five Little Ducks, U.S.A. - suggested for ages 3-5
Five Little Speckled Frogs, U.S.A. - suggested for ages 3-5
The Ants Go Marching, U.S.A. - suggested for ages 3-5
ROUNDS & Part Singing
The children may not be ready to sing a round on their own, but when led by adults, rounds can provide a beautiful way for young children to experience and hear part singing. Older children may be ready to try singing simple rounds using songs they know well, with adult singing support, potentially with one or more adults on each part.
Boots of Shining Leather, Hungary