Transition Songs Between Activities

[Lorina]

Here are a few songs that can help you during transitions. I use them at work and they work well, so wanted to share my songs for all those childcare professionals who need a little help during transitions...

- In the tune of Frere Jacques:

Are we ready?
Are we ready?
Yes we are!
Yes we are!
Standing in a straight line,
Standing in a straight line.
Here we are!
Here we are!

You can substitute standing in a straight line for 'Sitting in a circle', 'sitting up so nicely', 'listening very carefully', 'sitting very quietly' etc.


- Lets sit here for story time

For story time, for story time

Lets sit here for story tome

Please come and sit with me.

(sing child's name) is at story time story time story time (sing this line twice)

Thankyou for joining me! (I jut made up that line to finish the song...but it work well...)

You can change the "story time" to whatever you need the children to do. For example "it is time to pack away pack away pack away it is time to pack away please come and pack with me".


- Lets play copycat just for fun

We will copy (enter child's name) because s/hes the one
Whatever s/he does we'll do the same
Lets all play the copycat game.

I normally sing this to the children when its time to stop what they are doing (after a 5 min warning) and come and sit with me. They enjoy it as they can play a game too...


- SToRy TiMe RaP

IF....YOU...wanna hear a story this is what you gotta do

You gotta sit on the rug like the pretzels do!

So find your place and clap your hands

So the teacher will know, that you understand!

Zip your lips and turn on your ears

Cause THIS (holding up book) is the story that you're gonna hear!


- It's Dr. Dingle, Dr. Wiggle, Doctor Number 9.

We're going to have (lunch, recess, snack or whatever)
And we're feeling fine.
So let's get the rhythm in our head, Ding Dong (move head back and forth).
Now you get the rhythm in your head, Ding Dong
Now you've got the rhythm in your head, Ding Dong
We've all got the rhythm in our head, Ding Dong.
So let's get the rhythm in our hands, Clap, Clap.
Now you get the rhythm in your hands, Clap, Clap.
Now you've got the rhythm in your hands, Clap, Clap.
We've all got the rhythm in our hands, Clap, Clap.
So let's get the rhythm in our feet, Stomp, Stomp
Now you get the rhythm in your feet, Stomp, stomp
Now you've got the rhythm in your feet, Stomp, stomp
We've all got the rhythm in our feet, stomp stomp
So let's get the rhythm in our hips, Hot dog (wiggle hips)
Now you get the rhythm in your hips, Hot Dog
Now you've got the rhythm in your hips, Hot Dog
We've all got the rhythm in our hips, Hot Dog
Now lets get the rhythm all over again.
Ding dong.......Clap, clap......Stamp, Stamp......Hot Dog!!


- On the ning nang nong

Where the cows go bong
And the monkeys all say boo
Thereś a nong nang ning
Where the tress go ping and the tea pots jib ba jab ba joo
On the nong ning nang
All the mice go clang
You just cant catch them when they do
So its ning nang nong the cows go bong
Nong nang ning the tress go ping
Nong ning nang the mice go clang
What a noisy place to be long
Yes its the ning nang ning nang ning nang nong
The ning nang ning nang nong.

[jane]

Hi,

Transitions happen throughout the day so I guess taking this into account you need to try and do this as calmly as possible. Giving children prewarning before transitioning eg, 5 minutes and we are going inside etc, can assist with calm transitions. Also try and separate the group rather than bring all the children at once into the room, this is not always possible but can make a hugh difference.

Songs for transitions are great and pretending to be on a train can help with all the songs that come along with it eg, "Train is a coming ohh yrr" toot toot", with the children using their arms as the were the train is just one example.

Group time:- "Children pretend they are a seed and the carer pretends to water the seed, child turns into their favourite colour flower before transitioning to washing hands etc".

Ta J

[fchaudari76]

In Montessori we used music for transition times, when I played a particular piece of music they knew it was pack up and sit on the mat time.
I played it long enough to give them time to pack away.
If i ever needed the attention of them all I just had to ring a small bell very lightly & they all stopped immediately & looked at me

[LindyT]

I stole this idea from our Preschool.

At the 5 minute mark I sing

Fiiiive minutes and we're packing away!!
then
FFFFFooouuuurrr minutes and we're packing away!!

etc

You can actually see the children starting to disengage from their play and start moving towards pack up time. I will often be asked How many more minutes Linda?? The children love to guess how many minutes left and even the under 2's start to offer number suggestions. It becomes its own activity lol
I use this to transition to a meal time or rest time.

[teresamc]

The idea above that most appeals to me is the particular piece of music for packing away. It could be almost anything, it would set some sort of time limit on packing up and there would be less strain on my voice!

[Glennis]

Hi,
There is a CD available called Songs for Kindergarten (I got from one of those sales people that leave books etc at your workplace to purchase) and it has a song on it called the packup song and I have used this for a number of years with my preschoolers. I ding a bell and the children stop what they are doing and look at me I usually hold up 5 fingers and they say "5 more minutes" which means they have 5 minutes til the pack up song goes on. If we are running short of time I might hold up 3 fingers etc. then the song is played and the children have the length of that song to tidy up the area they are playing in. This usually works well. If for some reason I dont put it on then I 'get in trouble' for not putting it on... Hope that helps

[Britt995]

Hi
i work in the 3-5 year room at my centre and i find this works really well
*turn the lights off * :freeze everybody ....can everybody do this do this do this just like me *clapping hands * can everybody walk to the mat walk to that mat walk to the mat just like me *walk to the mat u want them to sit on * then continue this with whatever u want them to do through out the day ....i find switching the lights off and say freeze gets their attention almost immediatly hope this help

[LindyT]

Some clean up songs I use

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJhXVg2QisM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b4gSs0KhIU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENOL1RJ1u4s

[balae002]

I also give 5 minute warning. ie in 5 minutes we will go inside.

Then I ask the children if they can remember what we do next. If the child can tell me they get to go and put their hat away, and sit on the mat for story. Children get excited when they can tell you what we do next.

Before we wash our hands I sing a song:

Bee Bee bumble bee can you wash your hands for me.....(Child's name).

Or the 5 cheeky monkeys sitting in the tree, teasing mr crocodile. you can't catch me. along comes Mr crocodile as quiet as can be.

Snap the child that will wash their hands next. Children wait in anticipation who you will pick next.

Cheers
Andrea

[kerrioconnors]

Hi was just wondering has anyone got some songs for transitioning children to wash hands before meals

[Lorina]

Hi Kez,

I've merged your topic into this one as you may be able to get some ideas of transition songs from here itself. Have a look through these posts and see if you can use anything.

Here is one you can use for washing hands:

Mariah and Michael, jump up and down, turn all around, touch the ground!
Mariah and Michael, jump up and down, now walk to wash your hands.

(when calling children's name you can call two or three at a time)

,
L.A

[catchmeifucan]

I’ve used this one before:
 
If you’re hungry and you know it, rub your tummy-yum, yum!
If you’re hungry and you know it, rub your tummy -yum, yum!
If you’re hungry and you know it, then your stomach surely show it,
If you’re hungry and you know it, rub your tummy - Yum, yum!

[Angel mist]

Hi All,
Another excellent Thread.
I will be adding these resourceful Songs to my folder and introducing to my Group.
Another favourite song of mine which I need to look up the words and introduce to my children is:
See the little Bunnies, I forget the rest.
The children lay on the floor then,
Hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop then stop
Many thanks....

[Lorina]

Another favourite song of mine which I need to look up the words and introduce to my children is:
See the little Bunnies, I forget the rest.
The children lay on the floor then,
Hop little bunnies hop, hop, hop then stop
Many thanks....

I know which song you are referring to. You can find the lyrics and other versions of this song in the following topic:

Action Songs For Children, Any Ideas?

,
L.A

[catchmeifucan]

Here is another song: Red, red, is the color I see, if you’re wearing red then show it to me,Stand up, turn around, show us your red, then walk on down!