A welcome or Hello Song is more than just a tune to start your storytime; it’s the cornerstone of a positive and engaging experience for everyone involved. Think of it as your opening act, your friendly handshake, and your secret weapon for creating a smooth transition into the world of stories. It’s the very first impression you make, and a powerful tool for immediately setting the right tone for your entire program. Repeating the same hello song each week builds a comforting and predictable routine for families, signaling the start of storytime and helping children feel secure and ready to participate. By beginning with a song, you give families a precious moment to arrive, settle in, and get comfortable before diving into the main event – the stories themselves. The more you consider its role, the clearer it becomes: choosing a hello song that truly works for you and your audience is incredibly important.
Let’s explore some fantastic options and share ideas!
Recently, I discovered a wonderful hello song during an Early Childhood Investigations webinar. This song, new to me, has a melody that’s easy to learn and adapt with different verses. What really resonated with me is its heartwarming message. It’s called We’ve Been Waiting For You, created by Tom Hunter, Bev Bos, and Michael Leeman. The title itself speaks volumes about welcoming and inclusion, making it a perfect hello song to make everyone feel valued from the start.
One of my long-time favorite hello songs, one I consistently return to, is Well Hello Everybody, Can You Touch Your Nose? Its beauty lies in its simplicity and adaptability. By simply changing the action in each verse, you can tailor it to suit a wide range of ages. For babies, you might ask them to touch their toes; for toddlers, clapping hands works wonderfully; preschoolers could be encouraged to jump up high; and even older children (and adults!) can giggle at the idea of beeping their belly! You also have the flexibility to sing as many verses as needed. If families are still trickling in, just keep the song going! To smoothly transition into your first story, you can conclude with a verse like “Well hello everybody, can you sit back down?” – a gentle cue to get ready for the storytelling adventure ahead.
What are your go-to welcome or hello songs? I’d love to hear about them! Please feel free to share your favorite lyrics or video links in the comments below and let’s build a collection of amazing hello song ideas for everyone to use.
