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Hands on Shoulders Follow the actions 

described in each line

Hands on shoulders,  hands on knees. Hands behind you,  if you please; Touch your shoulders,  now your nose,  Now your hair and now your toes;  Hands up high in the air, Down at your sides, and touch your hair; Hands up high as before,  Now clap your hands, one-two-three-four!

Hands

My hands upon my head I'll place, Upon my shoulders, on my face, At my waist and by my side, Then behind me they will hide. Then I'll raise them way up high, And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, Then clap, clap, clap them-- One - Two - Three! Now see how quiet they can be.

My Toothbrush A self help rhyme

I have a little toothbrush I hold it very tight I brush my teeth each morning, And then again at night (preschoolers perform the actions)

Head and   Shoulders 

Touch each body part   with both hands and follow the action described. Head and shoulders, knees and toes. Knees and toes, knees and toes Head and shoulders, knees and toes Make your feet go stamp, stamp, stamp.

Nose and elbows, feet and waist Feet and waist, feet and waist

Nose and elbows, feet and waist Make your hands go clap, clap, clap.

 I Have Two Eyes

I have two eyes to see with, I have two feet to run, I have two hands to wave with, And nose I have but one. I have two ears to hear with, And a tongue to say "Good day". 

Family Let the words describe the actions

Here's a ball for baby, big and soft and round Here is baby's hammer, see how he can pound. Here's the baby's music, clapping, clapping so Here's the baby's soldiers, standing in a row. Here's the big umbrella to keep the baby dry And here is baby's cradle, to rock the baby bye. 

My Head Action Poem

This is the circle that is my head   make large circle with both hands This is my mouth with which words are said   point to mouth These are my eyes with which I see   point to eyes This is my nose that's a part of me   point to nose This is the hair that grows on my head   point to hair And this is my hat all pretty and red   place hands on head, fingers pointing up and touching 

Ready for School Perform the actions that the words suggest.

When I get ready to come to school, I jump right out of bed, I wash my face, brush my teeth, Pull my clothes over my head, I run down stairs, drink my milk, And eat my breakfast so slow, Then I wave good-bye as I walk down the street I'm so happy (smile) that I can go.

 Five Fingers A fingerplay

Five fingers on this hand.   hold up one hand Five fingers on that: hold up the other hand A dear little nose. point to nose A mouth like a rose. point to mouth Two cheeks so tiny and fat. point to each cheek Two eyes, two ears point to each And ten little toes; point to toes That's the way the baby grows. 

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A Very Nice Place

The fish lives in the brook  palms together tightly and wiggle  forward 

The bird lives in the tree  bend forearms at elbows and extend them upwards, cup hands and spread

them open 

But homes are the very nicest place For a little girl (boy) like me.    Point to self

Hokey  Pokey In a circle

You put your right hand in You put your right hand in You put your right hand in And shake it all about, You do the Hokey Pokey  wiggle And you turn yourself about, That's what it's all about.

Continue by putting in all the other parts of the body, and finish up with your whole self!

Homes Easy fingerplay

This is a next for Mr. Bluebird  cup both hands This is a hive for Mrs. Bee fists together This is a hole for bunny rabbit  fingers And this is a house for me         finger tips together for a roof peak   

Point to the Right Use both arms to point for all the movements. Point to the right of me.  Point to the left of me. Point up above me. Point down below. Right, left, up. Increase speed in    pointing And down so slow.  Decrease speed.

Transportation

Airplane

I press on the starter, The propeller whirls around My airplane and I Brush over the ground. I lift from the field, The motor roars out loud, Far below is the earth, Above me a bright cloud. I dip and I drop I swoop and I rise-- Oh, it's fun to be flying Way up in the skies!

The Bus

There is a painted bus, With twenty painted seats, It carries painted people Along the painted streets. They pull the painted bell, The painted driver stops, And they all get out together At the little painted shops.  

 Airplanes Oh, look, see our airplanes   look up Away up in the sky   point Watch us gliding through the air  fly around the room This is how we fly.

Trains Here's a little choo-choo train Chugging down the track Now it goes forward Now it goes back Now the whistle blows Whooooo, Whooooooo! What a lot of noise it makes Everywhere it goes Chooo-chooo-chooo! The train comes running back.

The Little Train

The little train, Goes up the track. It says, "Toot, toot", And comes right back.    

Tugboat

Chug, chug, chug, I'm a little tug.

  Little Red Caboose

Little red caboose, Chug!  Chug!  Chug! Little red caboose, Chug!  Chug!  Chug! Little red caboose, Behind the train, Train, Train, Train, Smokestack's on his back, Back, Back, Back. Comin' around the track, Track, Track, Track. Little red caboose,

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I pull a big boat, Chug, chug, chug.

Behind the train. Woooooo!   Woooooo!

The Train

Choo choo choo choo choo choo choo choo! Billy and Johnny, Maria and Sue, All of them watch for the train to pass through.   Substitute the names of children in your group

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong ding! See the engine puffing, hear the bell ring. Click clack, click clack, click clack clack, Tell me please, will you come back?  Engine On The Track

Here is the engine on the track hold up thumb Here is the coal car, just in back pointer Here is the box car to carry freight middle Here is the mail car. Don't be late. ring Way back here at the end of the train. little Rides the caboose through the sun and rain.  Windshield Wipers

The windshield wipers on our car are busy in the rain

hold hands with palms turned out and move them from side to sideThey swing and swing, Clup - clup - clup - clup Then back and forth again.      

Get A Ticket

Get a ticket, ticket, ticket for the train. Get a ticket, ticket, ticket for the train. Don't stand out in the wind and rain. Get a ticket, ticket, ticket for the train.

Additional verses make the following substitutions: Bus; Climb aboard, you can ride with us. Plane; Don't stand out in the wind and rain. Boat; The water's too cold to swim or float. Bike; It's way too far to walk or hike.  

Community Helper

Carpenter

The carpenter's hammer goes knock, knock, knock,

And his saw goes see, saw, see, He planes and measures He hammers and he saws While he build something for me.

The Mail Carrier

Playmates Begin with closed fists

From a window in this house open one fist, fingers point up From a window in this house  other fist open, fingers point up Playmates wave at each other  close fists, then thumbs wag at each other They jump  hands go up and down  quickly And have such fun!

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See the mail carrier Dressed in blue He's walking, walking, walking Do you think he'll bring to you Some postcards and a letter too?

 hands together and clap

Five Little Firefighters A fingerplay

Five little fire fighters sit very still  hold up five fingers Until they see a five on top of the hill Number one rings the bell, ding-dong.   bend down thumb Number 2 pulls his big boots on.  bend down pointer finger Number 3 climbs on the truck right away.  bend down middle finger Number 4 joins him, no one can wait.   bend down ring finger Number 5 drives the truck to the fire.   bend down little finger The big yellow flames go higher and higher.   spread arms Whooo-ooo!  Whooo-ooo!  Hear the fire truck say   imitate siren As all of the cars get out of the way. Shhh!  goes the water from the fire hose spout,   rub palms together And quicker than a wink the fire is out!      clap hands.   

Policeman A fingerplay

This is a car driving down the street   right fist travels down extended left arm Here's a policeman walking his beat   right index and middle fingers walk down left arm Now he is checking the stores at night To see that the stores are locked up tight   right index finger and thumb turn key in keyhole formed   by crook of little finger of left hand, other fingers in a fist. And this is the friendly traffic cop,   left hand in fist, index finger straight up Who tells the cars when to Go and Stop!   on Go index finger beckons, on Stop, raise fist up When cars get in a traffic jam   jam fists together He help them better than anyone can.   left index finger as cop stands erect   

Pat-A-Cake Preschool children use hands to perform the actions

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man Bake me a cake as fast as you can.

Roll it and pat it, mark it with a "B" Put it in the oven for Baby and me.

Insects and Bugs

Little  Miss Muffet Traditional nursery rhyme

A Beetle Action poem

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Little Miss Muffet, Sat on her tuffet, Eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffet away.

I know a beetle Who lives dow a drain His coat's very shiny But terribly plain When I take a bath He comes up the pipe Together we wash Together we wipe

The Ants Go Marching Traditional action song

The ants go marching one by one, Hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one, Hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one, The little one stops to such his thumb, And they all go marching down Into the ground to get out of the rain, BOOM!  BOOM!  BOOM!

Two...tie his shoe... Three...climb a tree... Four...shut the door... Five...take a dive... Six...pick up sticks... Seven...pray to heaven... Eight...shut the gate... Nine...check the time... Ten...say "THE END"

The Beetle Judy W. contributes this cute rhyme.

Beetle, beetle up in the tree, Fly down and show your armor to me! Shiny brown, black, or green, You're the toughest bug I've ever seen!  

Fuzzy  Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly

Encourage preschool children to act out the words of this poem by Lilian Schulz.

Fuzzy wuzzy, creepy crawly Caterpillar funny, You will be a butterfly When the days are sunny.

Winging, flinging, dancing, springing Butterfly so yellow, You were once a caterpillar, Wiggly, wiggly fellow.  

  Flutterby Judy W. offers this lovely rhyme

 If you ever watched a butterfly,  You would think the same;  To call him rather "flutterby",

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 Is more a fitting name.  For what he has to do with butter  I cannot understand.  But he can surely flutter better  Than any insect can!Caterpillar Let the words describe the actions

Little fuzzy caterpillar In your warm cocoon The cold winter's over and you'll be hatching soon. Then you'll spread your wings On a warm summer's day And wave us all goodby As you fly, fly away. Little  Black Bug Encourage preschoolers to add the appropriate sound effects to this poem by Margaret Wise Brown

Little black bug, Little black bug Where have you been? I've been under the rug, Said little black bug. Bug-ug-ug-ug.

Little green fly, Little green fly, Where have you been? I've been way up high, Said little green fly. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Little old mouse,  Little old mouse, Where have you been? I've been all through the house Said little old mouse. Squeak-eak-eak-eak-eak.  Lady Bugs Ask preschool children to perform the actions that the words suggest.

I saw a little lady bug flying in the air, But when I tried to catch her, two bugs were there.

Two little lady bugs flew up in a tree. I tiptoed very quietly, and then I saw three.

Three little lady bugs--I looked for one more. I saw one sitting on the ground, that made four.

Four little lady bugs--another one arrived. I saw her sitting on a flower, and that made five.

Five little lady bugs, all red and black-- I clapped my hands and shouted, and they all flew back!  Insects  All  Around Improvise a tune or sing to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"

Lady bugs and butterflies,

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Buzzing bees up in the sky. Teeny, tiny little ants, Crawling up and down the plants Many insects can be found In the sky and on the ground.  

Transition rhyme

Let's Clean Up To the tune of  "Farmer In the Dell"

Let's clean up today Let's clean up today We've had our fun Our day is done. So, let's clean up today.      

Quiet Time This is my quiet time My feet are flat and still My hands too are still My hands are in my lap My head is limp My body is limp Now head rest on my knees My head comes up Now I am ready to listen.  

Jimmy Through the Forest Improvise a tune

Soft-ly on his tip-tip-toes Jimmy through the for-est goes. Sh! Sh! Sh! (repeat) substitute  the children's names.

It's Time To Cleanup (Tune:  Frere Jacques) Are you helping,  are you helping Pick up toys, Pick up toys Let us all be helpers, Let us all be helpers. Girls and boys, girls and boys.

Clean-up Song Improvise a tune Clean-up, clean-up Everybody get some toys. Clean-up, clean-up All the little girls and boys. Clean-up, clean-up Everybody do your share. Clean-up, clean-up Everybody, everywhere.

Hands The words describe the actions My hands upon my head I'll place. Upon my shoulders, on my face, At my waist and by my side, Then behind me they will hide. Then I'll raise them way up high, And let my fingers fly, fly, fly, Then clap, clap, clap them-- One - Two -Three! Now see how quiet they can be.  

Where Is Linda (tune:  Frere Jacques) A morning song or for circle time.

Teacher:  Where is Linda?  Where is Linda? Linda:       Here I am, Here I am. Teacher:  How are you this morning: Linda:       Very well, I thank you. Teacher:   Hop away. Hop away.                 (Linda hops away) Repeat using other children.  Also vary the final action:  walk, skip, or jump away, etc.  

It's Time To Sit On The Rug (Improvise a tune)

It's time to sit on the rug; It's time to sit on the rug. It's time to sit on the rug And clap your hands!

It's time to clap like this; It's time to clap like this.

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It's time to sit on the rug And clap like this!  

Mary's Here Today (Improvise a tune)

Mary's here today, Mary's here today, We'll all clape our hands and say, Mary's here today. (Repeat with other children's names.  This is a nice welcoming song after a child has been absent)  

If You're Wearing Red Today (Tune:  Muffin Man)

If you're wearing red today, Red today, red today, If you're wearing red today, Stand up and say "Hoo-ray!"

Repeat: for other colors

For Story Time

Sometimes my hands are at my side   hold hands at side The behind my back they hide   put hands behind back Sometimes I wiggle my fingers so   wiggle your fingers Shake them fast, shake them slow   shake fingers fast and slow Sometimes my hands go clap, clap, clap   clap hands Then I rest them in my lap Now they're quiet as can be.   sit down and rest hands in lap  

I Wiggle Wiggle the body parts as  they are mentioned.

I wiggle my fingers, I wiggle my toes, I wiggle my nose, I wiggle my shoulders, Now no more wiggles are left in me, So I will sit as still as can be.  

Two

Two eyes to see the things to do Two lips to speak clearly the whole day through Two ears to hear what others say Two hands to put the toys away.  

 

Two Little Feet

Two little feet go stamp, stamp, stamp 

stamp Two little hands go clap, clap, clap

clap  One little body stands up straight 

stand straight One little body goes round and round 

turn

Going Downstairs (Upstairs) by Connie Walters Melody: Down By the Station

Hand on the handrail We'll go down together Walking very carefully All in a row We'll walk very slowly We're not in a hurry Let's be quiet

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One little body sits quietly down.  sit

As we go!

(Substitute up for down)

Special Ocassion

My Valentine Sing this song to the tune of "The Muffin Man

Oh, will you be my valentine? My valentine?  My valentine? Oh, will you be my valentine? And love me every day?

Oh, yes, I'll be your valentine, Your valentine, your valentine. Oh, yes, I'll be your valentine, And love you every day.

There's an entire Valentine Activity Theme in the Rainbow Resource Room.

A Birthday An action rhyme Today is (insert the name of the child)'s birthday, Let's make her/him a cake. Mix and stir    action of stirring Stir and mix, Then into the oven to bake   pretend to hold cake in two hands Here's our cake so nice and round,    make a circle with arms We frost it pink and white    action of spreading frosting We put five (any number) candles on it, To make a birthday light. 

Birthday Activities are in the Rainbow Resource Room.  

Autumn  Preschool children can act out the words to this seasonal rhyme.

In autumn when the trees are brown The little leaves come tumbling down They do not make the slightest sound But lie so quietly on the ground Until the wind comes puffing by And blows them off towards the sky.      

Jack-0-Lanterns A preschool number rhyme Five little jack-o-lanterns sitting on a gate. The 1st one said, "It's getting late." The 2nd one said, "I hear a noise." The 3rd one said, "It's only some boys." The 4th one said, "Let's run, let's run." The 5th one said, "It's Halloween fun." Then oooooooo went the wind, and out went the light.

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And away ran the jack-o-lanterns on Halloween night. 

There is an entire Halloween Activity Theme in the Rainbow Resource Room.  

Pumpkins

Little Jack Pumpkin Face lived on a vine Little Jack Pumpkin Face thought it was fine First he was small and green Then he was big and yellow. Little Jack Pumpkin Face is a fine fellow.   

Five Little Pumpkins A preschool education counting rhyme.  Point one by one to fingers on a hand.  On the last line, make a fist.

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate The first one said, "My, it's getting late. The second one said, "There are witches in the air." The third one said,  "I don't care." The fourth one said,  "We'll have a lot of fun. Let's run and run and run." "Woo-oo-oo" went the wind. And out (clap) went the light And the five little pumpkins rolled right out of sight.   

Thanksgiving

Mr. Turkey went for a walk on a bright sunshiny day. And on the way he met Mr. Duck Gobble, Gobble.....Quack, Quack. And they both went on their way. 

Five Turkeys Early childhood education teachers can develop this rhyme into a  preschool theatrical presentation.

Five big turkeys sitting on the gate The first one said,  "It's getting late."

Chorus: Gobble, gobble, gobble Fat turkeys, fat turkeys Gobble, gobble, gobble Fat turkeys are we.

The second one said,  "Who goes there?"

Chorus

The third one said,  "There are farmers everywhere."

Chorus

The fourth one said,  "Let's run, run, run."

Chorus

The fifth one said,  "It's just Thanksgiving fun."

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Chorus

Five fat turkeys are we. We slept all night in a tree. When the cook came around, We couldn't be found, And that's why we're here, you see.

Thanksgiving Activities are in the Rainbow Resource Room.  

Santa's  Reindeers A preschool education fingerplay for Christmas

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 little reindeer    hold fingers up one at a time Stand beside the sleigh. "Hurry, Santa," said the five "So we will not be late!"     make a fist 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 little reindeer,    pop fingers up one by one Santa said,  "Please wait! Wait for three more little reindeer, And then that will make eight."    hold up three more fingers. Santa's Clhimney A fingerplay

Here is the chimney (make fist, enclosing thumb inside fist) Here is the top. (place palm of other hand on top of fist) Open the lid, (remove top hand quickly) Out Santa will pop. (pop up thumb).

The Christmas Activity Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room.

Snowmen A counting fingerplay for winter. Five little snowmen standing round my door. This one melted and then there were four. Four little snowmen beneath a green pine tree. This one melted and then there were three. Three little snowmen with caps and mittens blue. This one melted and then there were two. Two little snowmen standing in the sun. This one melted and then there was one. One little snowman started to run. But he melted away and then there was none.

Take a look at the Winter Theme for snowmen activities.  

The Three M and M's Deloras J . wrote this little song to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Black History Month. To the tune of "The Farmer In the Dell"

The three M and M's The three M and M's Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and Marthin Luther King.

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( repeat)

Take a look at the Black History Theme for activities.  

Kites Try these two preschool rhymes outside on a windy day.

Five little kites flying high in the sky Said, "Hi" to the cloud as it passed by, Said, "Hi" to the bird, said "Hi" to the sun, Said, "Hi" to an airplane--oh what fun! Then whish went the wind, And they all took a dive: One, two, three, four, five. 

Kites Go Up Young preschoolers can act out the words of this simple rhyme.

The kites go up, the kites go down, In and around, all over the town The children run and jump and play, Because they love a windy day.

Windy & Rainy Weather Activities are in the Rainbow Resource Room.

  Easter Eggs A counting and color rhyme for Easter

Five little Easter eggs, lovely colors wore, Mother ate the blue one, then there were four.

Four little Easter eggs, two and two you see, Daddy ate the red one, then there were three.

Three little Easter eggs, before I knew, Sister ate the yellow one, then there were two.

Two little Easter eggs, oh what fun, Brother ate the purple one, then there was one.

One little Easter egg, see me run, I ate the green one, then there were none.  

A Rabbit Preschool children act out this rhyme Can you make a rabbit With two ears, so very long    hold up fingers And let him hop, hop, hop about     hop On legs so small and strong? He nibbles, nibbles carrots    act out For his dinner every day; As soon as he has had enough He scampers fast away!    hop on all fours 

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A Bunny A traditional fingerplay Once there was a bunny.   Double left fist and extend two fingers for ears. And a green, green cabbage head,     Double fist on the right hand. "I think I'll have some breakfast," the little bunny said.      Move bunny toward cabbage head. So he nibbled and he nibbled.      Move fingers on the left hand. Then he turned around to say, "I think this is the time I should be hopping on my way!"     Make hopping movements with the left hand.  

Easter Rabbits A counting fingerplay for Easter

Five little Easter rabbits    Hold up five fingers Sitting by the door, One hopped away, and then there were four.    Bend down one finger.

Refrain Hop, hop, hop, hop,    Clap on each hop. See how they run! Hop, hop, hop, hop,    Clap on each hop They think it is great fun!

Four little Easter rabbits    Hold up four fingers Under a tree, One hopped away, and then there were three.    Bend down one finger Repeat refrain.

Three little Easter rabbits    Hold up three fingers Looking at you, One hopped away, and then there were two.    Bend down one finger Repeat refrain.

Two little Easter rabbits    Hold up two fingers. Resting in the sun, One hopped away, and there was one.    Bend down one finger. Repeat refrain.

One little Easter rabbit Left all alone, He hopped away, and there there were none.    Hand behind back.

Hop, hop, hop, hop!    Clap on each hop. All gone away! Hop, hop, hop, hop!    Clap on each hop

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They'll come back some day.

Counting and Number rhymes

Five Fat Peas A counting fingerplay especially useful in the spring and summer.

Five fat peas in a pea pod pressed (children hold hand in a fist) One grew, two grew, so did all the rest. (put thumb and fingers up one by one) They grew and grew  (raise hand in the air very slowly) And did not stop, Until one day The pod went POP! (children clap hands together)

One Potato, Two Potato An activity for this counting

rhyme is in the Counting and Number Theme

One potato, two potato, Three potato, four,

Five potato, six potato, Seven potato, more!

One, Two, Tie My Shoe

Nursery Rhyme

1,2  Tie my shoe 3,4  Shut the door 5,6  Pick up sticks 7,8  Lay them straight 9, 10  A big fat hen. Let's get up and count again!

Monkeys On the Bed Action poem

Five little monkeys jumping  on the bed One fell off and bumped  his head Mama called the doctor and  the doctor Said, " No more monkeys  jumping on the bed!"

Four little monkeys jumping  on the bed, three little monkeys jumping on the bed, (and so on).

One Little Flower, One Little Bee

One little flower, one little bee. One little blue bird, high in the tree. One little brown bear smiling at me. One is the number I like, you see.

Five Cookies Action poem

Five little cookies in the bakery shop. Shinning bright with the sugar on top. Along comes (child's name) with a nickel to pay. He/she buys a cookie and takes it away. (continue with four, three, two and one).

Ten Fingers A fingerplay

I have ten fingers    hold up both hands, fingers spread And they all belong to me,  point to self I can make them do things-

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Would you like to see?

I can shut them up tight   make fists I can open them wide    open hands I can put them together   place palms together I can make them all hide   put hands behind back

I can make them jump high   hands over head I can make them jump low   touch floor I can fold them up quietly   fold hands in lap And hold them just so.  

Uno, Dos Y Tres A bilingual counting song in Spanish and English

Uno, dos, y tres, Cuatro, cinco, seis. Siete, ocho, nueve, Cuento hasta diez. La la la la la;  La la la la la, La la la la la;  La la la la la. La la la la la;  La la la la la.

One, two, and three, Four, five and six. Seven, eight, and nine, I count to ten. La la la la la;  La la la la la. La la la la la;  La la la la la. La la la la la;  La la la la la.

For an entire Spanish Rhyme Theme go to the Resource Room

Three Balls Action poem

Here's a ball     make ball with thumb and index finger And here's a ball   make ball with other thumb and index A great big ball, I see   put arms up and touch fingers

over head 

Shall we count them? Are you ready? One, Two, Three    make all three balls in succession 

Three Little Nickels A fingerplay

Three little nickels in a pocketbook new,    hold up three fingers One bought a peppermint, and then there were two,    bend down one finger Two Little nickels before the day was done, One bought an ice cream come, and then there was one    bend down another finger One little nickel I heard it plainly say, "I'm going into the piggy bank for a rainy day!" 

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Turtles Poem

One baby turtle alone and new. Finds a friend, and then there are two. Two baby turtles crawl down to the sea. They find another, and then there are three. Three baby turtles crawl along the shore. They find another, and then there are four. Four baby turtles go for a dive. Up swims another, and then there are five. 

Birds Poem

There was one little bird in a little tree, He was all alone, and he didn't want to be. So he flew far away, over the sea, And brought back a friend to live in the tree.

Substitute two, three, etc. for one as you finish the verse.

The Bird Activity Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room.

Here is a Beehive A fingerplay

Here is the beehive, where are the bees?      clench fist and bring out fingers quickly one by one Hidden away were nobody sees Watch and you will see them come out of their hives, One, two, three, four, five, Buzz, buzz, buzz.   

Five Little Bees

One little bee blew and flew. He met a friend, and that made two.

Two little bees, busy as could be-- Along came another and that made three.

Three little bees, wanted one more, Found one soon and that made four.

Four little bees, going to the hive. Spied their little brother, and that made five.

Five little bees working every hour-- Buzz away, bees, and find another flower.  

Five Little Birdies A fingerplay

Five little birdies, flying around our door,

 five fingers one hand up in the air, as verse is said other hand bends down each finger

The blue one flew away and then there were four.

Four little birdies sitting in a tree, The yellow one flew away and then there were three.

The little birdies didn't know what to do, So the red one flew away, and then there were two.

Two little birdies sitting in the sun, 

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The Brown one flew away, and there was one.

The little green birdie felt so all alone, He/she flew away and then there was none. Later on that very day, five little birdies came back to play.  

The Bird Activity Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room.

Ten In A Bed Action poem

There were ten in a bed and the little one said,  "Roll over, roll over."   rolling motion So they all rolled over and one fell out. There were nine in the bed and the little one said,  "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out....

  This is repeated until you get to the number one.  Each time "roll over" is said, rolling motion is dramatized.

There was one in the bed and the little one said,  "Good night!" 

Counting  Apples A fingerplay

Five red apples Hanging on a tree    five fingers held up The juiciest apples you ever did see! The wind came past And gave an angry frown     shake head and look angry And one little apple came tumbling down. Four red apples, etc. 

An entire Apple Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room!

 

Monkeys  In A Tree 

Action poem

Five little monkeys Sitting in a tree Teasing Mr. Crocodile-- "You can't catch me." "You can't catch me."  Along comes Mr. Crocodile As quiet as can be-- SNAP!!! Continue until all monkeys are gone

Away swims Mr. Crocodile As full as he can be!!!

Squirrels Counting poem

Five little squirrels sitting in a tree. The first one said, "What do I see?" The second one said, "Some nuts on the ground." The third one said, "Those nuts I found." The fourth one said, "I'll race you there." The Fifth one said, "All right, that's fair." So they shook their tails and ran with glee. To the nuts that lay at the foot of the tree.

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Dinosaurs Subtracting Numbers

Five enormous dinosaurs Letting out a roar-- One went away, and Then there were four.

Four enormous dinosaurs Crashing down a tree-- One went away, and  Then there were three.

Three enormous dinosaurs Eating tiger stew-- One went away, and  Then there were two.

Two enormous dinosaurs Trying to run-- One ran away, and then there was one.

One enormous dinosaur,  Afraid to be a hero-- He went away, and Then there was zero.

Animal rhyme

Five Little Ducks 5 little ducks went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, But only 4 little ducks came back.

4 little ducks went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, But only 3 little ducks came back.

3 little ducks went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, But only 2 little ducks came back.

2 little ducks went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, But only 1 little duck came back.

1 little duck went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, But  no little ducks came wondering  back.

No little  ducks went out one day Over the hills and far away, Mommy (daddy) duck called quack quack quack, And 5 little ducks came wandering back.

Tiny Tim

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Wanda L. contributes this rhyme There was a little turtle,  His name was tiny tim.  I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim.  He drank up all the water,  He ate up all the soap,  And now he is in the bathtub,  With a bubble in his throat.  Bubble, bubble,bubble,  Bubble, bubble, bubble,  Bubble, bubble, bubble,  Bubble, bubble, pop!

Birds If I were a bird, I'd sing a song And fly about the whole day long And when the night came Go to rest, up in my cozy little nest. 

  Bluebird, Bluebird Bluebird, bluebird,  through my window. Bluebird, bluebird, through my window. Bluebird, bluebird, through my window . Oh, Johnny I'm so tired.      

Five Little Blue Birds Preschoolers use fingers to represent the birds.

Five little blue birds, hopping by my door One went to build a nest, and then there were four

Four little blue birds singing lustily One got out of tune, and then there were three

Three little blue birds, and what should one do, But go in search of dinner, leaving only two.

Two little blue birds singing for fun One flew away, and then there was one.

One little blue bird sitting in the sun He took a little nap, and then there was none.  

Two Little Black Birds   A simple action rhyme

Two little black birds Sitting on the wall, (hold up one finger of each hand) One named Peter, The other named Paul. Fly away Peter! (put a hand behind your back) Fly away, Paul! (put the other hand behind you back) Come back, Peter! (bring the first hand from behind your back)

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Come back, Paul! (bring the second hand from behind your back)

The entire Bird Activity Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room.      

Ten Little Fishes Ten little fishes were swimming in a school, Preschoolers hold up ten fingers and then make swimming motions with  their hands. For the rest of the lines, wiggle each finger in turn.

This one said, "Let's swim where it is cool." This one said, "It's a very warm day." This one said, "Come on, let's play." This one said, "I'm as hungry as can be." This one said, "There's a worm for me." This one said, "Wait, we'd better look." This one said, "Yes, it's on a hook." This one said, "Can't we get it anyway?" This one said, "Perhaps we may." This one, so very brave, grabbed a bite and swam away.      

Five  Little Fishes For this fingerplay first make swimming motions with both hands then hold up one hand and wiggle a different finger as each line is said.

Five little fishes swimming in a pool This one said,  "The pool is cool." This one said,  "The pool is deep." This one said,  "I'd like to sleep." This one said,  "I'll float and dip." This one said,  "I see a ship." The fishing boat comes. The line goes splash. All the little fishes swim away in a flash!  

Fish Pretty little goldfish Never can talk. All it does is wiggle When it tries to walk.

One, two, three, four, five, I caught a fish alive. Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, I let him go again! Why did I let him go? Because he bit my finger so. Which finger did he bite? The little one on the right.  Pollito, Chicken Improvise a tune for this bilingual song (Spanish-English)

Pollito, chicken;  Gallina, hen. Lapiz, pencil, y Pluma, pen. Ventana, window;  Puerta, door.

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Maestra, teacher, y Piso, floor.

Use this version if the teacher is a woman,  If a man, change "maestra" to "maestro".

For an entire Spanish Rhyme Theme go to theRainbow Resource Room

Five Little Piggies A Counting Fingerplay

"It's time for my piggies to go to bed." The great big mother piggy said. "So I will count them first to see If all my piggies came back to me. One little piggy, two little piggies, three little piggies dear Four little piggies, five little piggies Yes, they're all here!" 

This Little Piggy

This little piggy went to market. This little piggy stayed home. This little piggy had roast beef. This little piggy had none. This little piggy cried, "Wee, wee, wee, wee." All the way home.

Pop Goes the Weasel

All around the Cobbler's bench The monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought 'twas all in fun. Pop!  Goes the weasel.

Little Bo-Peep

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep, And can't tell where to find them, Leave them alone, and they'll come home Wagging their tails behind them. 

Sammy  Snail Try using this poem as a movement activity for preschool children

Sammy snail is slowly moving See him slide across the grass He leaves a silver path behind him We all know when he has passed.

Sammy snail is never worried Though he wanders far and wide For on his back his house he carries And when he's tired he pops inside.  Old MacDonald Had a Farm Traditional preschool song

Old MacDonald had a farm E I E I O And on that farm there were some ducks E I E I O With a quack-quack here And a quack -quack there Here a quack, there a quack

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Everywhere a quack-quack Old MacDonald had a farm E I E I O

   start again substituting another animal for the duck, but repeat the last four lines, singing the duck sound before you start the song again.

pig:  oink-oink               chickens:   peep-peep dog:  bow-bow               lambs:  baa-baa cow:  moo-moo               horses:  neigh-neigh crows:  caw-caw             cats:   meow-meow  etc.

An entire Farm Theme is in the Rainbow Resource Room!  Five Little Chickadees A fingerplay or whole body movement activity

Five little chickadees, sitting by a door One flew away, and then there were four

Chorus: Chickadees, chickadees, happy and gay,

Chickadees, chickadees, fly away.

Four little chickadees, sitting in a tree One flew away, and then there were three.    Repeat the Chorus

Three little chickadees, looking at you One flew away, and then there were two.    Repeat the Chorus

Two little chickadees, sitting in the sun One flew away, and then there was one.    Repeat the Chorus

One little chickadee, sitting all alone That one flew away, and then there was none.  The Zoo A good poem to use with body movements and to begin discussions about animals

At the zoo we saw a bear He had long, dark fuzzy hair   pretend to walk etc. like a bear

We saw a lion in a cage. He was in an awful rage.   pretend to be a angry lion

We saw the big, long-necked giraffe, And the silly monkeys made us laugh    everybody laugh

But my favorite animal at the zoo Is the elephant--how about you?  The Elephant The elephant has a trunk for a nose,

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And up and down is the way it goes,

  Clasp hands together, extend arms and raise and lower them

He wears such a saggy, baggy hide!    relax body Do you think two elephants would fit inside?    hold up two fingers

Elephants At Work and Play A fingerplay with numbers

As 5 little elephants marched through the grass    march fingers of right hand They decided to stop and have a music class, The first blew his trumpet and announced he'd be teacher.    make a trumpet of fists and blow The next gave a call of the wild jungle animal    cup hands to mouth, make a low eerie sound The third and fourth elephants trumpeted a song,    make a trumpet and blow twice But the last little elephant just followed along, Then he left the others as he didn't care to play, And he carried tree logs the rest of the day.

   link the little finger under two fingers of the left hand and carry them away

A Elephant When people call this beast to mind They marvel more and more At such a little tail behind So large a trunk before.

Circus Elephants Improvise a tune for this rhyme

Elephants walking along the trails Are holding hands by holding tails.

Trunks and tails are handy things, When elephants walk in circus rings.

Elephants work and elephants play. And elephants walk and feel so gay.

And when they walk it never fails They're holding hands by holding tails.

Circus and Clown Activities are in the Rainbow Resource Room.

Galloping Chant Preschool children gallop around, fast at first then slower

Galloping, galloping, galloping, How fast my pony can go, When he's tired we'll come home,

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Slow, slow, slow.  Squirrels Wisky, frisky,. hippity, hop Up he climbs to the tree top. Whirly, twirly, round and round Down he scampers to the ground. Where's his supper? In a shell Snappy, cracky, out it fell. 

The Frog A little green frog once lived in a pool The sun was hot and the water cool, He sat in the pool the whole day long, And sung a dear little, queer little song, "Juaggery do, Quaggery dee, No one was ever so happy as me."

A Green Frog Said the little green frog as he sat on a log Nobody really likes me A duck came along And said,  "You are wrong." And gobbled him up for tea.

Five Little Speckled Frogs Ask preschool children to perform these actions as they have fun with subtracting numbers.

There's a creative activity contributed by Karen M. that can be used with this rhyme located in 

Counting and Number Theme

Five little speckled frogs, Sitting on a speckled log, Eating the most delicious bugs...yum, yum. One jumped into the pool Where it was nice and cool. Then there were four speckled frogs.

Continue until only one frog is left

One little specked frog. Sitting on a speckled log, Eating the most delicious bugs...yum,yum. He jumped into the pool Where it was nice and cool. Now there are no speckled frogs.  

Five Little Froggies A preschool body movement activity

Five little froggies sitting on a well One looked up, and down he fell. Froggies jumped high, Froggies jumped low.

Four little froggies sitting on a well

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One looked up, and down he fell. Froggies jumped high. Froggies jumped low.

   continue with  two and three froggies then.....

One little froggy sitting on a well He looked up and down he fell.  Frogs A fingerplay This little froggy broke his toe This little froggy said,  "Oh, oh, oh!" This little froggy laughed and was glad. This little froggy cried and was sad, This little froggy did just what he should He ran for the Doctor as fast as he could. 

The Little Turtle This nursery rhyme is done with appropriate hand gestures, then the preschool children can all run about after the last verse.

There was a little turtle, He Lived in a box He swam in a puddle, He climbed on the rocks.

He snapped at a mosquito, He snapped at a flea, He snapped at a minnow, And he snapped at me.

He caught the mosquito, He caught the flea, He caught the minnow, But he didn't catch ME!  Turtle Preschool children perform the actions that the words describe.

Mr. Turtle round and low    shade eyes...look I know why you move so slow    nod You carry such a heavy load    act out Moving your house down the road.               The Reason Recite this little poem by Dorothy Aldis when young  children are disappointed because of a trip etc. that  must be canceled because of a rainy day

Rabbits and squirrels  Are furry and fat, And all of the chickens Have feathers, and that Is why when it's raining They need not stay in The way children do who have Only their skin.

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Baby Kangaroo A preschool fingerplay or movement activity

Jump, jump, jump goes the big kangaroo,

   make jumping motion with index finger:  other fingers and thumb are folded

I thought there was one, but I see there are two. The mother takes her young one along in a pouch

   index of left hand slips up between thumb and fingers of right hand

Where he can nap like a child on a couch.   incline head on folded hands Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump    repeat jumping motion