Preschool Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
26 rhymes with full lyrics
These 26 rhymes suit children of about three to five, at circle time, at home or in the car. They are short, they repeat, and most have actions or a chorus that a small child can join in on after hearing it once or twice. Nothing here is sad or frightening. Every page has the full words and a note on where the rhyme comes from, and the action rhymes show the motions line by line.
A short session can run in four parts. Start the day with a greeting, such as Good Morning to You, or a song about everyday routines, such as Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush. Get moving with The Grand Old Duke of York, The Bear Went Over the Mountain or Looby Loo. Count with One, Two, Buckle My Shoe or This Old Man. Then slow down with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Row, Row, Row Your Boat, which is sung with a rocking motion.
Three or four rhymes are plenty for one session. Repeating the same ones through the week lets children learn the words and take over the actions themselves.