One effective way to help young children transition from one activity to another is to use songs! I love using transition songs with my young students in my music classroom between activities for several reasons:
- When used consistently, transition songs become part of the routine, which can keep having to repeat directions at a minimum.
- They can keep kids more engaged as they are listening for certain directions or movements in the songs, which can lessen opportunities to get distracted by other things.
- They let the kids know that particular activity has come to an end.
- Transition songs can provide more chances for kids’ ears to be immersed in different tonalities and meters.
- They can help keep the music experience flowing!
I wrote these songs with different musical and non-musical concepts/skills in mind, including gross motor skills, anticipation, self-regulation, colors, and dynamics.
Also, the words in these songs can be changed to fit whatever context you and your kiddos need to use them in (i.e. clearing the kitchen table, putting their clothes in the hamper, brushing their teeth, etc.).
I hope these songs will be helpful to you and your kids in the classroom and at home! The lead sheets for these songs are FREEBIE in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store, so make sure to download yours today and follow me there for more original songs to use with your kids!
Happy music making!
-Hannah