Preschool Songs -
Kids Music & Fingerplays
There is something irresistible about preschool songs and kids music, isn’t there? As adults, we remember the fun and excitement of getting to sing our favorite children’s rhyme.
Now as parents and teachers, we can pass that musical enjoyment along to the kids in our lives.
Benefits of Music for Children
There are many reasons why we should teach preschool songs to our children.
#1 - Music is fun and memorable!
Hearing a favorite song from our own childhood will likely bring back
many wonderful memories, so let’s help create fantastic memories for
the children in our lives.
#2 - Kids get to practice their social skills while
learning songs and fingerplays.
If the song has parts (like The Farmer in the Dell), children must
listen closely for their part and learn how to wait their turn.
#4 - Music gives children a terrific opportunity to
express themselves creatively.
Whether they are making up motions to go with a song, banging on a drum
to the beat of the music, or creating new lyrics to a familiar tune,
kids have the chance to show their individuality.
General Preschool Songs
Now that you know why you should teach music to children, you might be wondering which ones they will enjoy the most.
There are several categories of songs that you may include in your home or classroom:
- Just For Fun – These are the type of kid
songs that are perfect for just playing around with words, music, and
sounds.
- Bible Songs - Sunday school, VBS, and Christian school teachers are always on the lookout for great childrens bible songs. Teach children Bible verses or about their favorite Bible stories with these types of songs.
- Fingerplays – Preschool fingerplays are a
special kind
of children’s music that, in addition to the song, also includes
motions and/or actions. Kids love these because they get to be active
while singing.
- Piggyback Songs – Many parents love to
sing their
children a song while they are giving a piggyback ride. These types of
songs work well because they have a nice, steady beat to “gallop” along
to!
- Nursery Rhymes – Quite a few nursery
rhymes have been put to music to make songs. Others are fun just to
recite together.
- Theme songs – When teachers use themes to
teach, they like to include a song that matches the current topic. Find
your preschool theme, then visit that
page to find matching songs.
- Lullabies - Children love to be soothed to
sleep at night by a gentle lullaby sung by someone they love.
Holiday Preschool Songs
Of course, when you are around preschoolers, you will certainly want to teach them songs that correlate to each holiday!
Most holidays have a variety of children's music that can be taught to preschoolers. And if there are no songs for a certain holiday you are searching for (What?! You mean there are no songs for National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day on January 3rd?!?), it's time to make up your own!
Some common holidays covered in preschool:
New Year's Day
Groundhog's Day
Valentine's Day
St. Patrick's Day
Easter
Earth Day
Mother's Day
Father's Day
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Other special occasions during the year call for music as
well. Think about incorporating songs when you celebrate:
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