Baby Songs and Rhymes

Did You Ever See a Lassie?

Did you ever see a lassie, a lassie, a lassie?

Did you ever see a lassie go this way and that?

Go this way and that way and this way and that way,

Did you ever see a lassie go this way and that?

The Eensy Weensy Spider

The eensy weensy spider went up the water spout

Down came the rain and washed the spider out

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

And the eensy weensy spider went up the spout again

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Five Little Monkeys

Five 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!”

(Repeat with four, three, two and one)

Hey, Diddle, Diddle

Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle

The cow jumped over the moon

The little dog laughed to see such sport

And the dish ran away with the spoon

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Pat-A-Cake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man

Bake me a cake as fast as you can

Roll it and pat it, and mark it with a B

Put it in the oven for Baby and me

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Hot Cross Buns!

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

One a penny, two a penny

Hot cross buns!

If you have no daughters

Give them to your sons

One a penny, two a penny

Hot cross buns!

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

I’m a Little Teapot

I’m a little teapot short and stout

Here is my handle here is my spout

When I get all steamed up hear me shout

Just tip me over and pour me out!

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb

Mary had a little lamb, its fleece was white as snow

And everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went

Everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go

It followed her to school one day school one day, school one day

It followed her to school one day That was against the rule

It made the children laugh and play laugh and play, laugh and play

It made the children laugh and play to see the lamb at school

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Pease Porridge Hot

Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold

Pease porridge in the pot nine days old

Some like it hot, some like it cold

Some like it in the pot nine days old

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream

 

Benefits of Sharing Songs and Rhymes

  • Sharing songs and rhymes is an excellent way for parents to spend time with their children and share in the joy of childhood.
  • Rhymes are portable playthings. You can use these rhymes and songs anytime and anyplace.
  • The more you say the rhymes with your child, the quicker language will become part of your child’s life and speech, providing valuable preparation for learning to read.
  • Children learn best by doing things, and their favorite “toy” is you.
  • Singing songs is a good way to help your child hear syllables in words.
  • Children enjoy movements that go along with some of the songs and rhymes. Exaggerate the movements, make silly faces, clap in rhythm, and show your child that you enjoy playing with them.
  • If you don’t remember the tune, recite the verses and make up a tune. There are tapes and CDs you can borrow from the library or buy if you are uncertain about a tune.
  • You may also want to visit KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum for more rhymes and tunes.

 

Tips for Sharing Stories at Home

  • Begin reading, singing, and telling stories to your child as soon as they’re born.
  • Spend time reading to your child each day.
  • Visit the library and borrow books to share with your baby at home.
  • Choose a time when you and your child are in a relaxed mood.
  • Set aside a special time each day, such as before nap or bed time, or after meals, for rhymes, songs or reading.
  • Use this time as an opportunity to bond with your child and show them that books, reading, singing and stories are fun.
  • For more suggestions about reading with your child, please see our Preparing Your Baby for Reading brochure.

Polly Put the Kettle On

Polly, put the kettle on

Polly, put the kettle on

Polly, put the kettle on

We’ll all have tea

Sukey, take it off again

Sukey, take it off again

Sukey, take if off again

They’ve all gone away

Blow the fire and make the toast

Put the muffins on to roast

Blow the fire and make the toast

We’ll all have tea

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are

Up above the world so high

Like a diamond in the sky

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

How I wonder what you are

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Pop Goes the Weasel

All around the cobbler’s bench

The monkey chased the weasel

The monkey thought it was all in fun

Pop! Goes the weasel

A penny for a spool of thread

A penny for a needle,

That’s the way the money goes

Pop! Goes the weasel

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Skip to My Lou

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou

Skip, to my Lou, my darlin’

Fly’s in the buttermilk, shoo fly shoo

Fly’s in the buttermilk, shoo fly shoo

Fly’s in the buttermilk, shoo fly shoo

Skip, to my Lou, my darlin’

Listen to the song @ KIDiddles: Mojo's Musical Mouseum

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Turn around

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Touch the ground

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Reach up high

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Touch the sky

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Climb in bed

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Sleepy head

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Turn out the light

Teddy bear, teddy bear

Say goodnight

July 2005 (nb)