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Songs to Support Young Children Through Transitions and Routines 

A child's hand plays with a colorful xylophone using a mallet, while seated on a patterned black-and-white rug, wearing shorts and a blue T-shirt with cartoon characters.

Young children feel safe and secure when they have a consistent schedule and know what to expect, and they can experience anxiety when they are uncertain about expectations.

Singing songs associated with daily routines can make transitions fun, even for young children who are sometimes resistant to moving from one activity to another.  ​

How Songs Help Transitions & Routines

When we are doing something less enjoyable,  such as cleaning up legos to get ready for a nap or washing hands before eating snacks, songs can provide a fun distraction.  Transition songs can help kids stay motivated, remember what comes next, and feel more secure. 

Research from West Virginia University has found that the challenge of transitioning from one activity to the next is much easier for children and teachers when music is part of the transition. They note, “Music, when designed and used in a systematic manner, provides a way for students to work through change while maintaining positive engagement with their classmates, teachers, and environments. This, in turn, eases the burden on the teachers, thereby making the process more pleasant for all involved.”

Songs for Transitions and Routines

Welcome/Good Morning Songs

Welcome Song: “Hello, everyone, how are you?”

You are Here Today! Welcome Song

Spanish Welcome Song: “Hola Hola”

Washing Hands Song

Wash Your Hands to the Tune of Baby Shark

Wash Your Hands in Spanish to the Tune of La Bamba: “Yo me lavo las manos”

Clean-Up Song

Clean Up Song from Barney

Clean Up Song for Children from Elf Learning

A guardar: Spanish Clean Up Song

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