Sing along and learn: teaching children English through songs + 15 songs to get you started
Welcome, parents!
Today, we are going to explore the magical world of teaching English to children through songs!
Whether English is a second or even a third language for your little ones, incorporating music into their learning process can make a significant impact!
Singing is a fun, interactive, and memorable way to help children learn new vocabulary, improve their pronunciation, and develop their listening skills.
In today’s blog, we’ll discuss the tips and tricks you need to know to effectively use songs to teach English and of course, we’ll also share some songs to get you started!
Without further ado, let’s start!
Tips for teaching English through songs
1. Choose age appropriate songs
Select songs that are suitable for the age and language level of the children. Nursery rhymes and simple songs with repetitive lyrics are perfect for beginners, while more advanced learners may enjoy popular songs or musicals.
2. Introduce new vocabulary
Before playing a song, introduce the key vocabulary and phrases, so the children have an idea of what to expect. This will make it easier for them to follow along and understand the song’s lyrics.
3. Encourage active listening
Engage the children in active listening exercises by asking them to listen for specific words or phrases in the song. This will help improve their listening and comprehension skills.
4. Use visual
Support the learning process by using visuals such as flashcards, pictures, or videos to illustrate the meaning of the lyrics. Visual aids can help children better understand and remember new vocabulary.
5. Sing along and have fun
Encourage children to sing along with the songs, focusing on pronunciation and rhythm. It’s essential to make the learning process enjoyable and fun, so don’t be afraid to get silly and have a good time!
6. Reinforce learning with activities
After singing, reinforce the new vocabulary and concepts with related activities, such as games, role-plays, or writing exercises.
Alright, now, let’s get to know the songs!
Songs to get you started
1. The alphabet song
This song needs no introduction!
The Alphabet Song, also known as “The A-B-C Song,” is a classic nursery rhyme that helps children learn the English alphabet.
Fun fact: The melody is based on the French tune “Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman,” which was later popularized by Mozart!
The song arranges the 26 letters of the alphabet in a catchy, easy-to-remember melody.
Lyric
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P,
Q, R, S, T, U, V,
W, X, Y, and Z,
Now I know my ABCs,
Next time won’t you sing with me?
2. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
This song is an interactive and entertaining way to teach children the names of body parts. It is usually accompanied by a dance, with children touching each body part as they sing the corresponding lyrics. The song’s simple melody and repetitive structure make it easy for children to learn and remember.
Lyric
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes,
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes,
And eyes and ears and mouth and nose,
Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes.
3. The wheel on the bus
“The Wheels on the Bus” is a fun and repetitive children’s song that teaches about transportation and various sounds. The song is usually accompanied by hand gestures and movements, making it an engaging and interactive learning experience. The song has multiple verses, with each verse describing a different part of the bus and the sound it makes.
Lyric
The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town
The wipers on the bus go “Swish, swish, swish, Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish” The wipers on the bus go “Swish, swish, swish” All through the town.
The people on the bus go, “chat, chat, chat, cha,,chat chat,chat chat ,chat The people on the bus go, “, chat,chat,chat All through the town.
The horn on the bus go “Beep, beep, beep Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep” The horn on the bus go “Beep, beep, beep” All through the town.
The baby on the bus go, “wah, wah, wah! wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah!” The baby on the bus go, “wah, wah, wah!” All through the town.
The mummy on the bus go, “ssss sh,ssss sh,ssss sh, “”ssss sh,ssss sh,ssss sh The mummy on the bus go, “”ssss sh,ssss sh,ssss sh” All through the town.
The wheels on the bus go round and round Round and round, round and round The wheels on the bus go round and round All through the town.
4. If you’re happy and you know it
This interactive song teaches children to express their emotions and follow simple instructions. The song encourages children to participate by clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and performing other actions. The repetitive structure of the song makes it easy for children to learn and sing along.
Lyric
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap),
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it,
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands (clap clap).
(Additional verses can include “If you’re happy and you know it, stomp your feet,” “If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurray,” and more.)
5. Five little monkeys
“Five Little Monkeys” is a catchy tune that introduces counting and storytelling. The song tells the story of five little monkeys jumping on the bed, and as each monkey falls off, the number of monkeys decreases. The repetitive structure of the song makes it easy for children to remember and learn the lyrics.
Lyrics:
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!”
(Repeat the verse with decreasing numbers of monkeys, from four to one.)
6. Old McDonald had a farm
“Old McDonald Had a Farm” is a popular children’s song and nursery rhyme that introduces children to various farm animals and the sounds they make. The song has a repetitive structure, making it easy for children to learn and sing along. Each verse introduces a new animal and its corresponding sound.
Lyrics (first verse):
Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O,
And on his farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O,
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there,
Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo,
Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
(Additional verses can include other animals, such as pigs, ducks, horses, and more.)
7. The itsy bitsy spider
“The Itsy Bitsy Spider” is a fun and engaging children’s song about a small spider that climbs up a water spout, gets washed away by the rain, and then climbs back up when the sun comes out. The song is often accompanied by hand gestures and movements, making it an interactive learning experience.
Lyric
The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the water spout,
Down came the rain and washed the spider out,
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.
8. Twinkle twinkle little star
“Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” is a classic nursery rhyme and lullaby that dates back to the 19th century. The song’s lyrics are based on a poem by Jane Taylor called “The Star.” Its simple melody and soothing lyrics make it a popular choice for bedtime routines and teaching children about stars.
Lyric
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
9. Baa baa black sheep
“Baa Baa Black Sheep” is a traditional nursery rhyme that dates back to the 18th century. The song helps children learn about the sounds of animals and teaches them about sharing and generosity. The melody of “Baa Baa Black Sheep” is the same as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “The Alphabet Song.”
Lyric
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full,
One for the master, one for the dame,
And one for the little boy who lives down the lane,
Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.
10. You are my sunshine
“You Are My Sunshine” is a popular song written by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1939. Although not a traditional nursery rhyme, the song has become a beloved tune often sung to children. Its simple melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a popular choice for expressing love and affection.
Lyrics (first verse and chorus)
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,
You make me happy when skies are gray,
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you,
Please don’t take my sunshine away.
(The song has additional verses, but the chorus is the most well-known and often sung part.)
11. Que sera sera
“Que Sera Sera” is a phrase in Spanish and Italian that translates to “whatever will be, will be.” While not a traditional children’s song, its catchy melody and optimistic message have made it a popular tune for all ages.
Lyric
When I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother, “What will I be?
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?”
Here’s what she said to me,
“Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future’s not ours to see,
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be.
12. London bridge is falling down
“London Bridge Is Falling Down” is a traditional English nursery rhyme and singing game that dates back to the 17th century or earlier. The song is about the historical London Bridge and its various states of disrepair and rebuilding over the centuries. The song is often accompanied by a game where children form an arch with their hands, and others pass under the arch as they sing the lyrics.
Lyrics (first verse)
London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down,
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.
(Additional verses describe different ways to rebuild the bridge, such as “Build it up with iron bars” or “Build it up with silver and gold.”)
13. Five little ducks
“Five Little Ducks” is a fun and engaging children’s song about a mother duck who loses her ducklings one by one, only to have them all return at the end. The song introduces counting and storytelling while teaching children about animals and their sounds. The repetitive structure of the song makes it easy for children to learn and remember the lyrics.
Lyric
Five little ducks went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only three little ducks came back.
Three little ducks went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only two little ducks came back.
Two little ducks went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But only one little duck came back.
One little duck went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
But none of the five little ducks came back.
Sad mother duck went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
And all of five little ducks came back.
Five little ducks went out one day.
Over the hill and far away.
Mother duck said, “Quack, quack, quack, quack.”
And all of the five little ducks came back!
14. Hickory dickory dock
“Hickory Dickory Dock” is a traditional nursery rhyme that has been popular since the mid-18th century. The song tells the story of a mouse running up and down a clock as it strikes the hours. The lyrics introduce children to the concept of time, counting, and the sounds made by a ticking clock. The simple melody and repetitive structure make it easy for children to learn and remember the lyrics, while the playful story captures their imagination.
Lyric (first verse)
Hickory dickory dock,
The mouse ran up the clock,
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down,
Hickory dickory dock.
(Additional verses can be added, with the clock striking different hours and corresponding actions, such as “The clock struck two, the mouse said, ‘Boo!” or “The clock struck three, the mouse went, “Whee!”)
15. Johny, Johny, yes papa
“Johny Johny Yes Papa” is a nursery rhyme and children’s song that has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly on the internet and social media platforms. The song tells a simple story of a little boy named Johny who is caught by his father while trying to sneak some sugar. The song’s call-and-response structure and catchy melody make it enjoyable and engaging for children, while also teaching them about honesty and listening to their parents.
Lyric
Johny, Johny, yes Papa?
Eating sugar? No, Papa.
Telling lies? No, Papa.
Open your mouth, ha, ha, ha!
(Additional verses can be created by replacing “eating sugar” with other actions, such as “drinking soda” or “eating candy.”)
Summary
By incorporating songs into lesson plans or daily routines, children can practice pronunciation, learn new words, and develop their listening skills in a playful and engaging manner. This approach to language learning not only makes the process more enjoyable for children, but also helps them retain the knowledge they’ve gained!
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