Songs to Teach Core Vocabulary
So many of our clients learn best through music that I made up some songs to teach core vocabulary words and even critical phrases such as "I want to play" and "I'm thirsty". Incorporate any of these into your routine with a child who likes to sing and you'll find they may start using the phrases themselves!
(Wondering what core vocabulary is? Check out my Core Vocabulary List.)
I Want to Play
(To the tune of “Row row row your boat”)
I want to play now,
You want to play too!
Let’s go play together now,
It’s fun to play with you!
I Want to Eat
(To the tune of “Pop Goes the Weasel”)
All day long, I eat some food
At breakfast, lunch or dinner
I tell someone I want to eat
Then I get food
I Want a Drink
(To the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle”)
I want a drink, you do, too
Water, milk, a shake, or juice
I need to drink, I’m thirsty
Hot drinks, cold drinks, so yummy
I want a drink, you do, too
Water, milk, a shake, or juice
I Need Some Help
(To the tune of “You are my sunshine”)
I need some help now
I need some help now
I can’t do this on my own
So then I go ask
Can you please help me?
Please say you can come help me now
My Turn
(To the tune of “Down by the Bay”)
I want to play
I wait my turn
Then I tell you
It is my turn
I take my turn
Then back to you
I wait my turn
You can wait too!
I Don't Like That
(To the tune of London Bridge is falling down)
When there’s something I don’t like
I don’t like
I don’t like
When there’s something I don’t like
I say “I don’t like that”
I Need a Break
(Tune of home home on the range)
Oh when it is loud, or I am tired,
Or I’m mad or I just need to move,
I know I can ask, “Can I have a break?”
And then I can go feel better
I need a break!
To go wiggle or calm down or rest
When I don’t feel good, I know what to say
I ask “Can I have a break?”
If You're All Done...
(Tune: “If you’re happy and you know it”)
If you’re all done and you know it,
say all done.
All done!
If you’re all done and you know it,
say all done.
All done!
If you’re ask done and you know it,
then you’ve really got to tell it
If you’re all done and you know it,
say all done.
All done!
Do You Want to Eat?
(Tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Do you want to eat some food?
Eat some food? Eat some food?
Do you want to eat some food?
I want to eat some food
Breakfast, lunch, and then dinner
Then dinner
Then dinner
Breakfast, lunch, and then dinner
And I eat a snack too
I tell someone I want to eat
Want to eat
Want to eat
I tell someone I want to eat
So my tummy gets full
Feelings Song
(To the tune of “Are You Sleeping, Brother John” - act out the feelings as you sing!)
I feel sad now
I feel sad now
Yes I do
Yes I do
I cry when I feel sad
I cry when I feel sad
You do too
You do too
I feel scared now
I feel scared now
Yes I do
Yes I do
I hide when I feel scared
I hide when I feel scared
You do too
You do too
I feel tired
I feel tired
Yes I do
Yes I do
I yawn when I’m tired
I yawn when I’m tired
You do too
You do too
I feel sick now
I feel sick now
Yes I do
Yes I do
I cough when I get sick
I cough when I get sick
You do too
You do too
I feel mad now
I feel mad now
Yes I do
Yes I do
I frown when I feel mad
I frown when I feel mad
You do too
You do too
I feel happy
I feel happy
Yes I do
Yes I do
I smile when I’m happy
I smile when I’m happy
You do too
You do too
What's Your Name?
(To the tune of “Skip to my Lou”)
Hello, what’s your name?
Hello, what’s your name?
Hello, what’s your name?
Please tell me your name.
My name is ___.
My name is ___.
My name is ___.
___ is my name.
___ is your name.
___ is your name.
___ is your name.
Your name is ___.
What Is It?
(To the tune of BINGO – point to objects as you sing!)
What is it? I want to know
What is it, please tell me now
It is super cool
What is this thing called?
I know what it is
It is a [name of object]
Who is it? I want to know
Who is it, please tell me now
He/she/they is/are super cool
What is their name called?
I know who it is
It is [name of person]
Where is it? I want to know
Where is it, please tell me now
It is super cool
Where is it right now?
I know where it is
It is [location]