Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays for Kids
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star“)
Welcome, welcome everyone.
Now you’re here,
We’ll have some fun.
First we’ll clap our hands just so
Then we’ll bend
And touch our toe.
Welcome, welcome everyone.
Now you’re here,
We’ll have some fun!
Last month it was April showers and now we have moved on to May flowers. In honor of May Day (although I know I’m a few days late) I’ve collected 15 flower poems for you. I’ve tried to vary them so you have flower fingerplays, flower poems, and flower songs. There are also poems about flowers in general as wells as ones about tulips, daffodils and daisies. There is even a great bedtime poem. I’ve included it at the end of the list.
In addition to the flower poems you can teach your little ones and use in storytime programs, I’m also excited to share with you a new album from Charity and the JAMband. This album, Earth, has a great message for kids and families about taking care of the earth and showing kindness to each other.
Be sure to click on the title of the poem to find the full lyrics. With 15 flower poems you will find something to work with any flower storytime program, or enough to create several programs around this theme.
I have heard that talking to plants encourages their growth. I thought of that nugget when I first heard “Sing a Summer Song” on the album Earth from Charity and the JAMband. The song speaks of singing a song for summer, singing a song for flowers, singing a song for dirt and singing a song for you and me. Music has such power to reach little ones. Music can guide them in their learning. Music can also broaden their understanding. This song would be a great addition to a storytime program. You could play it as a welcome song while little ones gather before storytime starts. Or it could be used as a song to play while little ones played with instruments.
You can read more about the story of “Sing a Summer Song” on Charity’s blog. You can also connect with the band on their website or on Twitter (@jamband). You can also pick up a copy of Earth on Amazon or download it from iTunes.
Five little flowers growing in a row,
The first one said, “I’m purple you know!”
The second one said, “I’m pink as pink can be.”
The third one said, “I’m blue like the sea.”
The fourth one said, “I’m a very red fellow.”
And the fifth one said, “My color is yellow.”
Then out came the sun, big and bright.
And five little flowers smiled in delight.
Five little flowers standing in the sun (hold up five fingers)
See their heads nodding, bowing one by one? (bend fingers several times)
Down, down, down comes the gentle rain (raise hands, wiggle fingers and lower arms to simulate falling rain)
And the five little flowers lift their heads up again! (hold up five fingers)
Five little tulips bright and gay, (hold up fingers and thumb on one hand)
Let us water them each day. (make sprinkle motion with other hand)
Watch them open in the bright sunlight. (cup hand, then open it)
Watch them when it is night. (close hand again)
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot“)
I’m a little daisy, tall and slim (Stand on tiptoes)
Here are my petals (Place hands on side of head & wiggle fingers)
Here is my stem (Hold arms down at sides of legs)
When the sun comes up (Make sun with arms)
And the rain comes down (Flutter hands to floor like rain-end in crouching position)
I grow, grow, grow- up from the ground! (slowly raise up bring hand over head)
Download this instrumental version of I’m a Little Teapot to listen and practice offline.
Seeds are buried deep, deep, deep.
In the sun they sleep, sleep, sleep.
Yellow sun is bright, bright, bright.
Raindrops falling light, light, light.
Gentle breezes blow, blow, blow.
Seed, the little seed, grow, grow, grow
(Tune: “Do You Know the Muffin Man“)
Curl up like a tiny seed,
A tiny seed, a tiny seed.
Warm sun is what you need.
Now you can start growing,
Drink the rain and start to rise,
Start to rise, start to rise.
Stretch up tall, arms open wide,
Now a flower’s showing.
Butterfly, butterfly, flutter around.
Butterfly, butterfly, touch the ground.
Butterfly, butterfly, fly so free.
Butterfly, butterfly, land on me!
Butterfly, butterfly, reach the sky.
Butterfly, butterfly, say good-bye.
This rhyme is in the style of Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear and works well with a butterfly or spring theme.
(Tune: “Frere Jacques“)
It is raining,
It is raining,
On my head.
On my head.
Pitter patter raindrops
Pitter patter raindrops
I’m all wet!
I’m all wet!
Download this instrumental version of Frere Jacques (Are You Sleeping) to listen and practice offline.