Using Rhyme and Rhythm to Teach Preschoolers Their Numbers
There are some wonderful nursery rhymes and songs for kids that have been passed down through generations. We use them for playtime fun, but it's also a fabulous way to learn colors, shapes and numbers. Most people know the classics - Ants Go Marching, One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, and Ten Green Bottles, so we've compiled a list of songs for preschoolers that may be new to you.
Use the natural rhythm built into each song to create actions too! Movement songs increase hand-eye coordination skills and makes it easier to remember. Use the videos below to add the music to the rhyme. Music, coupled with the movement, can help build strength, coordination, body balance and awareness for the child.
Counting Forward
These rhymes will help the child start to learn numbers one through five and one through ten by counting forward. After they have mastered counting forward, then start learning math through songs by counting backward.
1. One Little Elephant Went Out to Play
One elephant went out to play
On a spider web one day.
It was such enormous fun
That he called for another elephant to come.
Two elephants went out to play
On a spider web one day.
It was such enormous fun
That he called for another elephant to come.
Continue adding elephants to numbers five or ten. The simple repetition of the refrains help the toddler to memorize the numbers themselves.
2. Pirate Counting Song
Learn more: Mr. Kipley - Kids Songs and Classroom Videos
3. Finger Plays Number Song
Learn more: Pink Fong Baby Shark - Kids' Songs and Stories
The numbers repeat with this one. Start with you saying the number and the child repeats after you. As they learn the rest of the rhyme, you can say that part together. Teachers often use this call and response technique in the classroom.
4. One, Two, Zoo!
One, one: the zoo is lots of fun.
Two, two: see a kangaroo.
Three, three: see a chimpanzee.
Four, four: hear the lions roar.
Five, five: watch the seals dive.
Six, six: there's a monkey doing tricks
Seven, seven: there's an elephant named Evan.
Eight, eight: a tiger and his mate.
Nine, nine: all the penguins in a line.
Ten, ten: I want to come back again!
5. How Many Fingers?
Learn more: Super Simple Songs - Kids Songs
6. Three Jellyfish (to the tune of Three Blind Mice)
Learn more: Maple Leaf Learning
7. Ten Apples on my Head
Learn more: Super Simple Songs - Kids Songs
8. One Big Balancing Hippo
ONE big hippo balancing,
step by step on a slippery rock,
he thought it was such tremendous fun
he called for another hippo to come.
TWO big hippos balancing,
step by step on a slippery rock,
he thought it was such tremendous fun
he called for another hippo to come.
Keep adding hippos until you reach ten. With more complicated words, this rhyme will help build vocabulary as well!
9. The Singing Walrus
Learn more: The Singing Walrus - English Songs for Kids
10. Singing Walrus: Funky Counting Song
Learn more: The Singing Walrus - English Songs for Kids
This one combines learning numbers and colors together. It also introduces another language concept by using ordinal numbers (first) for the numbers one, two, three, four and five.
11. Five Little Flowers
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."
The fifth one said, "My color is yellow."
Then out came the sun, big and bright,
And the five little flowers smiled in delight.
12. Bounce Patrol Counting Song
Learn more: Bounce Patrol - Kids Songs
13. Ten Little Snowflakes
Learn more: Dave and Ava - Nursery Rhymes and Baby Songs
14. Counting Up and Counting Down: Blastoff
Learn more: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
Counting Backward
These rhymes will help the child start to learn that numbers have value and begin learning math while having fun! It is an essential building block for addition and subtraction.
15. Ten Little Monkeys
TEN little monkeys jumping on the bed,
one fell off and bumped his head
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
no more monkeys jumping on the bed!
NINE little monkeys jumping on the bed,
one fell off and bumped his head.
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
no more monkeys jumping on the bed!
Continue counting backwards until all of the monkeys have fallen off of the bed.
16. Five Little Men in a Flying Saucer
Learn more: Twinkl Educational Publishing
17. 5 Little Dinosaurs
FIVE little dinosaurs trying to roar,
one stomped away and then there were four.
FOUR little dinosaurs hiding near a tree,
one stomped away and then there were three.
THREE little dinosaurs peeking out at you,
one stomped away and then there were two.
TWO little dinosaurs ready to run,
one stomped away and then there was one.
ONE little dinosaur not having any fun,
he stomped away and then there were none.
18. Five Scoops of Ice Cream
I had FIVE scoops of Ice Cream, no less, no more,
one fell off and that left four!
I had FOUR scoops of ice cream, as yummy as could be,
one fell off and that left three.
I had THREE scoops of ice cream, yes it's true
one fell off and that left two.
I had TWO scoops of ice cream, in the melting sun,
one fell off and that left one!
I had ONE scoop of ice cream, sitting on the cone,
I ate it up and that left none!
19. Count Back Cat
Learn more: Mr. R's Songs for Teaching
20. Six Teddy Bears Asleep in Bed
SIX teddy bears asleep in bed,
six teddy bears with sleepy heads.
One teddy bear fell out of bed,
how many teddy bears were left in bed?
FIVE teddy bears asleep in bed,
five teddy bears with sleepy heads.
One teddy bear fell out of bed,
how many teddy bears were left in bed?
Continue until there are no more teddy bears in the bed.
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