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You are here: Home / Circle Time / How to Use Circle Time Songs as Learning Activities

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How to Use Circle Time Songs as Learning Activities

November 15, 2015 by Sheryl Cooper

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Inside: Circle time songs can play a big role in preschool learning. They teach important concepts, build language and social skills, and can have a calming affect with energetic children.

Music is a big part of our toddler and preschool day.

We use music to help us through transitions, while walking to and from the gym and outdoors, and when say goodbye.

Music is also an important part of our circle times, where we learn new concepts, build language skills, work on following directions, and simply have fun!

How to Use Circle Time Songs as Learning Activities

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of The Seasons children’s music CD by Nancy Kopman. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. 

 

How to Use Circle Time Songs as Learning Activities

There are some important things to think about when choosing songs for toddlers and preschoolers.

I like to choose songs that are interactive.

Songs that get the hands clapping, the feet stomping, the head moving.

I love to build skills such as counting, identifying colors, learning about parts of the body.

👉 Scroll down to find other circle time resources!

Learning activities using music for toddlers and preschoolers - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

“Before you pick the songs, keep in mind that your child benefits from doing more than just listening,” explains Lili Levinowitz, cofounder of Music Together. “The get the full benefits of music, children need to sing, clap, and dance along with the tunes.” (You can read more of this article here.)

My gift to you! Download this free cover to use with your music binder!

free preschool music notebook cover printable

Clap Your Hands

When I received a copy of The Seasons, a children’s CD by Nancy Kopman, I listened to all the songs while planning my toddler and preschool circle times. The first song on playlist, Clap Your Hands, was the perfect example of what I am looking for with these age groups.

Learning activities using music for toddlers and preschoolers - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Everybody clap your hands.

Everybody go peek-a-boo.

Everybody go side to side.

Everybody go 1, 2, 3.

You can get an idea of how this song works in the video below. As you can see, even young toddlers have fun getting involved!

 

 

This was another favorite during our circle time:

 

Here is one more:

I would definitely recommend The Seasons for teachers, caregivers, parents, grandparents – anyone who spends time with young children!

 

Click on the songs below to listen and download:

 

Side to Side

Pat, Pat, Pat

Right and Left

Horsey Ride

You can learn more about Music with Nancy on YouTube, iTunes, her website, or Facebook.

Don’t forget to put together a music playlist that you can find quickly!

I’ve created playlists on Spotify for the entire school year, and you can find them all in this post:

preschool songs

More circle time ideas:

Winter Circle Time Activities

Christmas-Themed Circle Time Activities

Circle Time with 2 Year Olds

Ideas for a Preschool Morning Meeting

How to Manage Show and Tell at Circle Time

Brilliant Circle Time Strategies When Kids Can’t Sit Still

 

How to Use Circle Time Songs as Learning Activities

 

More music ideas for toddlers and preschoolers:

The Best Preschool Music for Energetic Kids

30 Favorite Toddler Songs

25+ Music and Movement Activities

 

Song and Rhyme Props!

Keep your toddlers and preschoolers engaged with props to favorite songs and rhymes!

pumpkin printable pack
Preschool Songs & Rhymes Props

song & rhymes pack #2

 

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Filed Under: Circle Time, Music and Movement, preschool, Toddlers Tagged With: circle time, language, music, music & movement, preschoolers, social skills, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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Comments

  1. Magic Years

    December 16, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    Incorporating movement into all of our songs in a must for young learners. It helps with memory and making connections to actions. You can always take a classic song and change it by saying “Lets sing it fast, sing it like a tiger, or sing it with no words and just moving our mouths. Here is my list of action songs great for circle time – which we do outdoors as well:
    * Coconut Soap
    * Shake Your Sillies Out
    * Tufa Tafa
    * Pinocchio
    * I Can Do It

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