Songs and rhymes are the magic ingredient to captivating toddler storytime sessions. They bring energy, joy, and crucial developmental benefits to young children. As a regular feature in my toddler storytime, I rely on a curated collection of songs that are not only fun but also incredibly effective in engaging this energetic age group. These aren’t just any songs; they are tried-and-true tunes that toddlers and their caregivers adore, creating a familiar and welcoming atmosphere each week. This post will share my go-to Toddler Songs, perfect for any storytime or sing-along occasion.
1. Hello, Friends: The Essential Welcome and Goodbye Song
“Hello, Friends” is my absolute must-have for both starting and ending every storytime. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and repetition, making it incredibly easy for toddlers to grasp and participate in. What I find particularly rewarding is witnessing the toddlers’ progress in mastering the sign language for “friends.” Week after week, their little hands become more adept at making the sign, and it’s always amazing how quickly they recall it, even after just a single rendition of the song. This song is not only a friendly greeting but also a subtle introduction to sign language, enhancing their communication skills in a playful manner.
2. Open, Shut Them: A Toddler Favorite for Action and Fun
“Open, Shut Them” is a guaranteed hit, performed at least twice in every storytime session. The sheer delight it brings to the toddlers is evident, especially when they reach the part where they dramatically hide their hands behind their backs at the song’s conclusion. There’s a lovely interactive element as they eagerly anticipate the ‘surprise’ ending each time. Anecdotally, one little boy consistently shares a funny detail after the song, exclaiming, “I let them in my mouth!” This just goes to show how deeply engaged and comfortable toddlers become with these familiar and fun songs.
3. Roly Poly: Mastering Opposites Through Music and Movement
In my experience, “Roly Poly” stands out as the ULTIMATE song for teaching toddlers about opposites. Its adaptable nature allows for endless creativity, and you can easily expand it with as many verses as you can imagine. To add a vocal dimension, I’ve incorporated a “High/Low” verse where we playfully change the pitch of our voices, introducing another layer of auditory learning and fun. This song transforms learning about opposites from a concept into a physical and auditory experience, making it much more impactful and memorable for toddlers.
4. Mmm, Ahh Went the Little Green Frog: Fostering Early Literacy Skills
I discovered “Mmm, Ahh Went the Little Green Frog” when my two-year-old niece was learning to pronounce the “K” sound. This song is a fantastic tool for incorporating early literacy tips, especially focusing on phonological awareness. Before and after singing, there are ample opportunities to engage toddlers in sound recognition and pronunciation exercises. The song also boasts multiple engaging verses and variations, keeping it fresh and exciting for repeated storytime sessions. It’s a playful way to support crucial pre-reading skills.
5. Rain is Falling Down: A Calming Melody for Storytime Transitions
Sometimes, the energy in toddler storytime needs to be gently channeled back to a calmer state, especially before transitioning to the next story. “Rain is Falling Down” is my go-to calming song for this exact purpose. Its soothing melody and slow tempo help to gently refocus the toddlers, creating a peaceful atmosphere conducive to listening and learning. During the second verse, I encourage caregivers to engage in peek-a-boo with their children, adding a loving and interactive element to the calming process. For seasonal variety, a winter verse like “Snow is falling down, slush!” can be easily added, keeping the song relevant year-round.
6. Stop Says the Red Light: Integrating Sign Language and Safety Awareness
Incorporating sign language into storytime is a priority for me, and “Stop Says the Red Light” is perfect for this. Beyond sign language, this rhyme is also excellent for teaching traffic safety to young children in an engaging way. I often suggest to caregivers that they can reinforce this lesson by reciting the rhyme in everyday situations, like in the car or on the bus. This simple rhyme effectively combines language development with crucial safety education, making it a valuable addition to toddler storytime.
7. Hello, Bubbles: Adding Movement and Excitement with Bubbles
Introducing bubbles into toddler storytime was a game-changer. After using them just once, the toddlers were immediately captivated and have been requesting them ever since. “Hello, Bubbles” is the song we use to build anticipation before and celebrate after our bubble time at the end of storytime. It’s a fantastic way to encourage toddlers to jump, reach, and move around, channeling their energy in a joyful and playful manner. Bubbles add an element of visual delight and physical activity that toddlers absolutely love.
8. Song Cube: Interactive Song Selection for Toddler Choice
Inspired by Mel’s Desk, the song cube has become an indispensable tool in my storytime sessions. I bring it out at least once each session and let the toddlers take turns rolling it to decide which song we will sing next. This simple cube is incredibly effective in promoting nursery rhymes and traditional children’s songs in an interactive and engaging way. To keep things fresh and offer more variety, I’m planning to create a new cube with six different songs, ensuring that storytime remains exciting and unpredictable for everyone.
These songs are my tried and tested favorites that consistently work wonders with toddlers. What are your go-to toddler songs and rhymes? Share your favorites in the comments below!
