Teach Counting with Toddler Action Songs
Introduce Number Skills with Fun Music for Kids
Jul 22, 2009
Toddlers love to perform, and action songs allow children to express song lyrics through over-the-top movements. By teaching number songs, children are introduced to mathematical concepts that include addition and subtraction. Using hand and body gestures to accompany the song lyrics reinforces the mathematical concepts involved and adds to toddlers’ understanding of counting skills.
The three songs listed here (Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Mr. Alligator, and Five Bears in a Bed) serve as an introduction for any parent or educator wanting to add mathematical concepts to the music curriculum.
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
Five little monkeys jumping on a bed (Hold up five fingers, bouncing)
One jumped up and bumped his head. (Hold one finger up and tap on head)
Mom called the Doctor and the Doctor said (Hold fist to ear with thumb and pinky out like a phone)
"No more monkeys jumping on a bed." (Shake pointer finger)
Five minus One equals Four (Hold up five fingers and use one beat for each word, taking away one finger leaving four)
There are five verses to Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, using hand signals to create the actions. For all five verses and the music that accompanies the song, visit National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services.
Mr. Alligator
Five little monkeys swinging from a tree (Hold up fingers)Teasing Mr. Alligator, “Can’t catch me, no, you can’t catch me.” (shake head no and wiggle pointer finger)
Along came Mr. Alligator quiet as can be (whisper and put hands together to weave through water)
And snapped that monkey right out of that tree! (Clap loud when snaps him out of tree)
Mr. Alligator is sung to the same tune as Five Little Monkeys. There are five verses to Mr. Alligator, with the entire upper body involved in the actions. Kids love the added fun of using a loud voice when stressing the word “snapped”. For all five verses, visit Family Fun Express.
Five Bears in the Bed
Five bears in the bed and the little one said (Hold up fingers)
"I'm crowded, roll over" (Roll arms in circular motion)
So they all rolled over, and one fell out (hold up one finger)
Four bears in the bed and the little one said (Hold up fingers)
"I'm crowded, roll over" (Roll arms in circular motion)
So they all rolled over, and one fell out (hold up one finger)
Three bears in the bed and the little one said (Hold up fingers)
"I'm crowded, roll over" (Roll arms in circular motion)
So they all rolled over, and one fell out (hold up one finger)
Two bears in the bed and the little one said (Hold up fingers)
"I'm crowded, roll over" (Roll arms in circular motion)
So they all rolled over, and one fell out (hold up one finger)
One bear in the bed and the little one said (Hold up finger)
"I'm lonely!"
Five Bears in the Bed is from the classic children’s television show, Sesame Street. There are five verses to Five Bears in the Bed, with hand and arm movements involved in the actions.
Incorporating numbers in action songs is a terrific way to introduce counting, addition, and subtraction to even the littlest audiences. Including Five Little Monkeys, Mr. Alligator, and Five Bears in a Bed in a music curriculum adds mathematical skills to a fun children's activity. For additional toddler action songs, read Action Songs to Teach Toddlers.
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