I’m on a baby time break for the summer, but I’m already thinking about the songs I want to try out when we (fingers crossed) start back up again in September.
I love including dance and movement in my storytimes, and there are a few songs in particular that never let me down.
The Elevator Song – Particularly fun for city kids, this song is so adaptable, as older kids can raise their arms and touch their toes, or jump up and down like elevators!
Zoom Zoom Zoom – Another song that works so well with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and even school-aged kiddos! Did you know there’s a country version and an ocean version?
She Didn’t Dance, Dance, Dance – It’s so much fun to lift babies up and up and up and up! Apparently the tune is an Irish folk melody called ‘Dilín ó deamhas ó deamhas’ – you learn something new every day!
My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean – Another folk song, and once I remember from sing alongs as a child.
Go in and Out the Window – I love this song – bigger babies love to soar, while it’s easy to just lean to the side with a tiny baby in arms. And when you turn and face your partner, babies’ joy in seeing other babies’ faces is just too delightful.
London Bridge is Falling Down – So many of the movement songs we do are lifting songs, so it’s fun to sprinkle in some lowering songs, too! This is so fun, every time you sing the word down you can lower babies, or lean to the side while holding them, which results in heaps of giggles.
Dancing with Bears – This is such a lovely, gentle waltz that would work beautifully as a lullaby or soothing song.
Did I miss any of your favourite babytime movement songs?