Keeping your kids engaged during circle time is never easy, but it’s even more challenging when the sun is shining and spring fever has set in. That’s why I love using these spring songs and fingerplays to get my kids’ attention and KEEP it this time of year! The fun rhymes and catchy rhythms will draw them in so that you can get them focused and ready to learn.
Why are songs & fingerplays important?
Let me ask you a question. How many times have you been in the middle of your circle time and though to yourself, I could stop teaching and walk out of this room, and these kids wouldn’t even notice! Trust me, friend. I’ve been there! And if I’m being honest, I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. But that’s exactly why songs and fingerplays became a staple in my classroom, and they should be in yours, too.
Your little learners can only listen for so long, and getting them actively involved is a MUST. They aren’t auditory learners to start with at this age, so if you’re relying on telling them what you want them to do and talking at them when you’re teaching, you’re going to fall short every time. But here’s the good news: if you use songs and fingerplays to get their attention, they’ll join in to sing with you without you even asking them to pay attention! By the time the song is done, they’ll be looking at you and ready to see what’s next.
What are the benefits of songs & fingerplays?
In addition to their attention-grabbing perks, songs and fingerplays have some hidden benefits as well (but they are equally important!).
- Phonological awareness: Songs and fingerplays are full of rhyming words. alliteration (words that start with the same sound), and rhythmic patterns. These are critical in literacy development and will help set your kids up to be successful readers when the time comes.
- Language development: Songs and fingerplays are full of interesting words that your kids may not have heard before. They develop vocabulary through repetition and develop language skills by exposing your kids to sentence structures, grammar, and figurative language.
- Memory skills: Music, hand motions, and repetitions all make things more memorable. Think about it… what happens when a song from your high school years comes on? You start singing along, right? That’s because it’s etched in your memory. Songs and fingerplays do the same thing for our little ones.
- Social skills: Learning to move, dance, and sing alongside other kids creates opportunities for them to develop their social skills by cooperating, communicating, and compromising.
- Motor skills: Singing and doing body movements during a song develops gross motor skills. Doing hand motions during a fingerplay develops fine motor skills.
And you can’t forget may favorite added bonus. Songs and fingerplays are FUN! Kids love to sing, dance, talk, and move, so they love to do songs and fingerplays.
When should you use songs & fingerplays?
It may seem like songs and fingerplays are simply a fun addition to your circle time, but you can be very intentional about how you use them. They are actually the backbone of my classroom management! here are some of the times I use songs and fingerplays during my circle time:
- To gather the kids on the carpet
- To transition from one circle time activity to the next
- To get their attention before I start an activity
- To regain their attention when they have lost focus
- To review a skill or topic I have recently taught
- To give them a wiggle break
Want to read more about how I use songs & fingerplays to manage my circle time? Just click HERE to get my free 5-step framework!
Spring Songs and Fingerplays
Alright friend, do I have you convinced yet? I sure hope so! here are two of my favorite songs and fingerplays to use during spring.
"Here is the Beehive"
This classic fingerplay is always a favorite! Hiding the “bees” (your fingers) and letting them pop out as you count is always fun, but buzzing them around at the end makes this one a winner every time.
"Five Little Ducks"
Kids have been singing this song for decades, and it is still a favorite. Counting backwards from 5 to 0 as you sing each verse builds number concepts and subtraction skills.
Are you ready to get your hands on these two printables PLUS 14 additional songs, fingerplays, active transitions, and attention getters for your spring theme? My Spring Circle Time Toolbox™️ set will give you all the tools you need to effectively and seamlessly manage your circle time during your spring theme.
Get the free guide!
This 5-step planning framework is the backbone of Circle Time Made Simple™ and will change the way you look at your circle time! Learn how I plan and manage my circle time so that I get my students engaged and KEEP them that way!
