Recess Monkey Archives - Laptime Songs

April Showers Poems and Songs

April 8, 2016 by ajpassey Leave a Comment

“April showers bring May flowers”

This old adage has always had special meaning for me. My mom’s birthday is in April and my birthday is in May. I imagined this phrase was coined just for me that my mom, represented by April showers, brought me, represented by May flowers, into the world. Such is the innocence and simple understanding of a young child.

It is probably also the main reason why I love April showers so much. Rain, storms, thunder and lightning have always filled me with awe and appreciation for nature. I love the sound of rain dripping, dropping and tapping on my windows and roof.

So it’s no surprise that I’ve amassed quite a list of songs and poems about April showers. I’m excited to share this treasured collection with you today. I hope it will help in filling out your storytime program centered on your favorite book about rain. Side note: my all-time favorite book to read aloud about rain is Listen to the Rain by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault.

April Showers Poems

Just click on the title of the poem and you’ll be taken to the page with the full lyrics.

April Showers Songs

Raindrops by The Harmonica Pocket on the album Sundrops

Thunder & Lightning by Recess Monkey on the album Hot Air

Rainy Day Dance Party by Milkshake on the album Got a Minute?

Rain Dance by Rachel Coleman and the TreeSchoolers on the album Plants & Flowers

In Belgian Rain by Hot Peas ‘n Butter on the album Catchin’ Some Peazzz, The Lullabies

6 Albums with Spring Songs for Preschool

March 31, 2016 by ajpassey Leave a Comment

Today I’ve gathered 6 spring songs for preschool from some of my favorite musicians. These musicians are part of the Kindie Music world which focuses on creating quality music with lyrics and melodies that are relatable to little ones and enjoyed by listeners of all ages.

Spring is such a fun time for me because everything seems to come alive again after the stillness of winter. Just as plants turn green, shoots spring up, and birds build nests, preschoolers seem to explode in growth during the spring. The sunshine, rain and warmer weather is good for physical growth as well as all areas of a child’s development. The spring songs for preschool I chose for this list celebrate the sun, the rain, rainbows, and the tender feelings and bursting energy of little ones.

6 Spring Songs for Preschool

Let’s Get Together by Bari Koral found on Anna and the Cupcakes
Sunshine by Vered found on Good Morning My Love
Sundrops by The Harmonica Pocket found on Sundrops
Thunder & Lightning by Recess Monkey found on Hot Air
Rainbow by Milkshake found on Got a Minute?
Bye Bye Song by Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys found on Bubble Ride

Suggested Activities

These spring songs for preschool make a great playlist to accompany a variety of activities to explore spring. Below are just a few possible activities that pair well with this playlist.

Using a flashlight and an old CD, little ones can explore rainbows. Lemon Lime Adventures gives a great tutorial on how to make this activity easy for little ones to create their own rainbow.

A spring scavenger hunt for kids would be a great activity to accompany this playlist of spring songs for preschool. KC Edventures offers a free printable scavenger hunt list.

Featured Albums with Spring Songs for Preschool

Anna and the Cupcakes from Bari Koral and the Family Rock Band

Good Morning My Love from Vered

Sundrops by The Harmonica Pocket

Hot Air by Recess Monkey

Got a Minute? by Milkshake

Bubble Ride by Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys

Desert Island Disc from Recess Monkey

October 29, 2013 by ajpassey Leave a Comment

Recess Monkey is at it again! After their June release of Deep Sea Diver, they released a follow-up album this fall. Desert Island Disc was released earlier this month. In the short time we’ve been reviewing kids’ music (for grown ups, too!) Recess Monkey has released four albums. But the most amazing part is that they are all fantastic. How Drew, Jack and Korum can continually produce quality lyrics, danceable melodies and enough energy to wear out my children is beyond me! But they do, again and again. And we love them for it. We are Monkeynauts through and through.

On our first listen through of Desert Island Disc I was struck by how simple the music was. There were fewer instruments and a stronger focus on vocals. On my second listen through I really felt like I was on an island relaxing on the beach listening to these songs. The lighter sound really caters to an island feel.

Of course, we have some favorite songs. The kids always ask to repeat The Hermit, all about a crustacean looking for a new shell. I always find myself singing The Cave at random times during the day. And it doesn’t even bother me that it’s stuck in my head! Dessert Island is a lullaby to bring you down from the sugar high of all the sweets found there. Perfect for all the sugar that kids are about to consume on Halloween.