Circle time is a beloved activity in early childhood classrooms. Gathering together in a circle promotes a sense of community and togetherness. Singing songs is a joyful way to engage young children during circle time. This page contains 14 lively circle time songs that teachers can use to get preschoolers moving, thinking, and laughing. With call and response, fingerplays, and simple rhythms and melodies, these songs will delight children while helping build their listening skills, coordination, and social-emotional development. Any teacher looking for fresh, fun circle time songs to incorporate into their day will find a great selection here.
Wiggle Song
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “The Bear Went Over The Mountain”
Oh, my hands are starting to wiggle,
My hands are starting to wiggle,
My hands are starting to wiggle,
And So is the rest of me!
Circle Time
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Hush, ssh, quiet please,
Let’s all gather near.
Find a friend and sit right down,
Circle time is here.
Hands Up High Fingerplay
Original Author: Unknown
Hands up high
Hands down low
Hide those hand now where did they go?
One hand up the other one too
Clap them, fold them, now we’re through.
Open Shut Them
Original Author: Unknown
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Give a little clap
Open, shut them
Open, shut them
Put them in your lap
Creep them, creep them
Creep them, creep them
Right up to your chin
Open up your little mouth
But do not let them in
Falling, falling
Falling, falling
Right down to the ground
Then you pick them up again
And turn them round and round
Faster, faster,
Faster, faster
Give a little clap
Slower, slower,
Slower, slower
Place them in your lap.
Right Hand, Left Hand
Submitted by: Kathy
This is my right hand (raise up)
I raise it up high
This is my left hand (up overhead)
I touch the sky
Right hand, left hand (raise one then other)
Roll them round and round (Roll in front of you)
Right hand, left hand
Let’s all sit down !!
Make a Circle
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Frere Jaques”
Make a circle, Make a circle
Make it round, Make it round
Make it in a hurry, Make it in a hurry
Then sit down, Then sit down.
Come Have A…
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Shorting Bread”
Everybody come and have a,
come and have a, come and have a,
Everybody come and have a seat on the floor.
Not on the ceilin’ (point)
Not on the door (point)
Everybody come and have a seat on the floor
Weather
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Oh my Darlin”
Weather Helper, Weather Helper
What’s the weather outside?
Go and look out the window,
tell us what you see outside.
What’s the weather?
What’s the weather?
What’s the weather tell everyone.
Is it windy? Is it cloudy? Is there rain? or is there sun?
The one I use goes:
Today the clouds are in the sky,
and cloudy is the weather.
C-L-O-U-D-Y, C-L-O-U-D-Y, C-L-O-U-D-Y.
And cloudy is the weather.
Circle Time
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary had a little lamb”
Come on, everybody it’s
circle time, circle time, circle time…
Come on, everybody, it’s
circle time, please come and sit with me.
Two Little Hands
Original Author: Unknown
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.. (all clap)
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.. (all tap)
One little body turns around, and then sits quietly upon the down.
Hands Up High
Original Author: Unknown
Hands up high
Hands down low
Hide those hand now where did they go?
One hand up the other one too
Clap them, fold them, now we’re through.
Song For Going To Circle Time
Original Author: Unknown
Let’s sit for a story (or circle)
For story, for story
Let’s sit for story
Please come and sit with me (At this point children start to arrive and we sing…)
(Name) is at story, at story, at story
(Name) is at story; he came to sit with me
Keep singing until everyone has sat down at circle and his or her names have
been sung.
Welcome To Circle
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Where is Thumbkin?”
Where is ______? Where is _______?
Here he is! Here he is!
How are you today, sir?
Very well I thank you. (child response)
Sit right here! Sit right here!
Come And Join Us
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Clementine”
Come and join us in the circle
For a fun and happy time.
We will learn and play together
In our circle, yours and mine.
Listen carefully and look closely
Have good manners and be kind
We will learn and play together
In our circle, yours and mine.