Songs are valuable ways to assist in teaching rhythm, concepts, vocabulary, rhyming, and specific grammatical skills. When I am teaching young children, I choose songs that target specific concepts appropriate for that child. If I can’t think of a song, I make up lyrics to an existing song.

The following are examples of songs that can be used to teach action words, in particular. I have included my own additions and changes, but the point is to be creative! Links are provided to help you learn the songs, then begin singing them to your child while changing diapers, eating breakfast, or brushing your child’s teeth. You may discover that he begins singing along and applying vocabulary to daily life sooner than you expect! So go ahead and break into song; you are teaching your child while she is having fun (and you likely are too)!

Verbs:

1) This is the way we …

(to the tune of “Here we go ‘round the mulberry bush”)

This is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands

This is the way we wash our hands, to get them nice and clean

Wash, wash, wash, wash, wash, wash, wash

 

This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth

This is the way we brush our teeth right before bed

Brush, brush, brush, brush, brush, brush, brush

 

This is the way we change your diaper, change your diaper, change your diaper

This is the way we change your diaper, to keep you clean

 

This is the way we brush our teeth right before bed

 

This is the way we wave hello, wave hello, wave hello

This is the way we wave hello when we see a friend

 

This is the way we wave goodbye, wave goodbye, wave goodbye

This is the way we wave goodbye when someone is leaving

 

Example links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd4WnsXwdqw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XLQpRI_wOQ

 

2) Shake Your Sillies Out

We’re gonna shake, shake, shake our sillies out
Shake, shake, shake our sillies out
Shake, shake, shake our sillies out
And wiggle our waggles away

We’re gonna clap, clap, clap our crazies out
Clap, clap, clap our crazies out
Clap, clap, clap our crazies out
And wiggle our waggles away

We’re gonna jump, jump, jump our jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump our jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump our jiggles out
And wiggle our waggles away

We’re gonna jog, jog, jog our joggies out
Jog, jog, jog our joggies out
Jog, jog, jog our joggies out
And wiggle our waggles away

We’re gonna stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out
Stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out
Stretch, stretch, stretch our stretchies out
And wiggle our waggles away

We’re gonna yawn, yawn, yawn our yawnies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn our yawnies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn our yawnies out

And wiggle our waggles away

 

We’re gonna bang, bang, bang the blocks now

Bang, bang, bang the blocks now

Bang, bang, bang the blocks

And wiggle our waggles away

 

We’re gonna eat, eat, eat our pancakes now

Eat, eat, eat our pancakes now

Eat, eat, eat our pancakes

And wiggle our waggles away

 

We’re gonna stomp, stomp, stomp our feet now

Stomp, stomp, stomp our feet now

Stomp, stomp, stomp our feet now

And wiggle our waggles away

 

Example link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwT5oX_mqS0

 

3) Clap, clap, clap your hands

Clap, clap, clap your hands

Clap your hands together

Clap, clap, clap your hands

Clap your hands together

 

Pat, pat, pat your knees

Pat your knees together

Pat, pat, pat your knees

Pat your knees together

 

Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet

Stomp your feet together

Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet

Stomp your feet together

Example link:

Compiled by Alissa Ketterling, M.S., CCC-SLP

(with some word changes and additions)

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