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Music is a staple of baby storytime. It is more valuable for little ones to hear people singing instead of recorded music. When singing acapella, adults can slow down words to help little ones hear small parts. Little ones often respond more to their parent’s voices than recorded music, and singing can help build the child-caregiver bond. I use a scattering of well known songs throughout storytimes that we will sing as a group without backing music (often Wheels on the Bus or If You’re Happy and You Know It).
However, like many folks, my voice is far, far away from Beyonce’s. My singing can be politely described as off-key. I sing in front of parents and poke fun at myself, reminding them that if I can sit in front of 100 people and sing horribly, they can do it with their child who doesn’t know any better. For everyone’s sake, however, I include a good amount of recorded music in my storytime. My favorite songs are linked below.
Just like my rhymes and other activities, all the words to our baby songs are on my PowerPoint in the front of the room:
Kids Music – Storytime Baby Songs
These are my favorite baby songs to use as an element of storytime (like books, rhymes, and puppets).
- Baby Shark by Pinkfong
- Clap, Tap, Bend by KIMBO
- Clap Your Hands by Old Town School of Folk Music
- Elephants Have Wrinkles by Rainbow Songs
- Grand Old Duke of York by Rainbow Songs
- Hands Together, Hands Apart by Rainbow Songs
- Hot Potato by The Wiggles
- Hurry, Hurry Drive the Firetruck by Barney
- I Wake Up My Hands by Rainbow Songs
- If You’re Happy and You Know It by Old Town School of Folk Music
- Little Red Wagon by Old Town School of Folk Music
- Milkshake Song by Old Town School of Folk Music
- The Monkey Dance by The Wiggles
- Put Your Baby in the Air by Caspar Babypants
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Old Town School of Folk Music
- Shake It Baby, Shake It by Rainbow Songs
- Shake Your Sillies Out by Rainbow Songs
- Shaky Shaky by The Wiggles
- She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain by Old Town School of Folk Music
- Sittin’ In My High Chair by Rainbow Songs
- The Shimmie Shake by The Wiggles
- The Tickle Song by Rainbow Songs
- Wake Up Toes by Joanie Bartels
- Walkin’ Ol’ Joe by Old Town School of Folk Music
- What Shall We Do With The Sleeping Baby? by Rainbow Songs
- Wheels on the Bus by Old Town School of Folk Music
Kids Music – Play Music
These are some of my favorite kids songs that I use for play time.
- All the Fish by Caspar Babypants
- All You Pretty Babies by Caspar Babypants
- Alligator Stroll by Josh Turner
- Disco Hippo by Caspar Babypants
- Everybody Knows That I Love My Toes by Rainbow Songs
- Gitchee Gitchee Goo by Disney (Phineas and Ferb)
- In Summer by Disney (Frozen)
- Mr. Sun by Raffi
- Pop Goes the Weasel by Caspar Babypants
- Popcorn by Laura Doherty
- Shortnin Bread by Caspar Babypants
- Skinamarink by Mother Goose Rocks
- We Are the Dinosaurs by The Laurie Berkner Band
- You Are the Baby by Caspar Babypants
Popular Music
Popular music is a great way to engage parents in a storytime as well as littles.
- Best Day of My Life by American Authors
- Best Song Ever by One Direction
- Better When I’m Dancing by Meghan Trainor
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco
- Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
- When Can I See You Again by Owl City