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
Auld Lang Syne, Scotland - recommended ages 3-5, associated with New Year’s Eve
Hei Luulil, Finland - all ages
Lavender’s Blue, England - all ages
Ner Li, Israel - all ages, associated with Hanukkah
Peace Like a River, U.S.A. - all ages
Silent Night, Austria - all ages, associated with Christmas
Sleep, Children, Sleep, Germany - all ages
Still, Still, Still, Austria - recommended ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Sulla Lulla, Norway - all ages
Toora, Loora, Loora, Ireland - all ages
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, France and England - all ages
What Shall I Give to the Child in the Manger?, Spain - all ages, associated with Christmas
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
Auld Lang Syne, Scotland - suggested ages 3-5, associated with New Year’s Eve
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, France - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Deck the Hall, Wales - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, Yiddish - suggest ages 3-5, associated with Hanukkah
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, U.S.A. - all ages
I Saw Three Ships, England - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Jingle Bells, U.S.A. - all ages, associated with winter holidays
Joy to the World, England, U.S.A. - associated with Christmas
London Bridge, Great Britain - all ages
Mary Had a Little Lamb, U.S.A. - all ages
Mommy, Buy Me a China Doll, U.S.A. - suggested ages 3-5
Over the River and Through the Wood, U.S.A. - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Thanksgiving
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
Silent Night, Austria - all ages, associated with Christmas
S’vivon, Israel - all ages, associated with Hanukkah
The Friendly Beasts, France, England - all ages, associated with Christmas
This Little Light of Mine, U.S.A. - all ages
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, France and England - all ages
Up on the Housetop, U.S.A. - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
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
Five Little Speckled Frogs, U.S.A. - suggested for ages 3-5
Hop, Hop Went the Little Green Frogs, U.S.A. - all ages
Kokoleoko, Liberia - suggested for ages 3-5
Little Bird, U.S.A. - suggested for ages 3-5
Mary Had a Little Lamb, U.S.A. - all ages
Mr. Frog, U.S.A. - all ages
The Friendly Beasts, France, England - all ages, associated with Christmas
When Sheep Get Up in the Morning, U.S.A. - all ages
SONGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Arrorró Mi Niño, Puerto Rico - all ages
Auld Lang Syne, Scotland - suggested for ages 3-5, associated with New Year’s Eve
Boots of Shining Leather, Hungary - suggested for ages 3-5
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, France - suggested ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Cucanandy, Ireland - all ages
Dance with Me, Germany - all ages
Haida, Israel - suggested for ages 3-5
Hambane Kahle, Zulu Parting Song - all ages
Hanukkah, Hanukkah, Festival of Lights, Israel - all ages, associated with Hanukkah
Hanukkah, oh Hanukkah, Yiddish - suggested for ages 3-5, associated with Hanukkah
Hei Luulil, Finland - all ages
Kokoleoko, Liberia - suggested for ages 3-5
Ner Li, Israel - all ages, associated with Hanukkah
Savalivali, Samoa - all ages
Senwa De Dende, Ghana - all ages
Shalom Chaverim, Israel - suggested for ages 3-5
Silent Night, Austria - all ages, associated with Christmas
Sleep, Children, Sleep, Germany - all ages
Still, Still, Still, Austria - recommended ages 3-5, associated with Christmas
Sulla Lulla, Norway - all ages
S’vivon, Israel - all ages, associated with Hanukkah
Toora, Loora, Loora, Ireland - all ages
What Shall I Give to the Child in the Manger?, Spain - all ages, associated with Christmas
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