Adding Signs through Songs
Songs are a fantastic way to start including key word sign into your program. Not only does it increase engagement and interest for children, but it supports language learning and the transferring signs to different contexts. Here are a few tips and tricks that will support you when using signs in songs:
- Start by picking your favourite song that you know all the words to. This will mean you can focus on the signs, rather than getting the words right!
- Choose one or two signs per song to build confidence.
- SLOW IT DOWN! Some songs can be super fast, which makes it hard to sign and sing at the same time! By slowing down the speed of the song, you will be able to sign and sing with more ease, plus allow extra time for children’s comprehension.
- Prioritise your natural gestures. Singing a song and you think a natural gesture would suit it better? Use it! We want key word sign to be successful for both children and educators, so make it work for the context you are in.
- Animals and colours are really great signs to add because they often appear in early childhood songs and children engage well with them.
Recommended Songs
- If You’re Happy and You Know It
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat
- Sleeping Bunnies
- Five Little Ducks
- Five Little Speckled Frogs
- Old MacDonald Had a Farm
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
- The Wheels on the Bus
- Miss Polly Had a Dolly
- Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear Turn
- Around I Can Sing a Rainbow
- The Ants Go Marching
- One, Two, Buckle My Shoe
- Baa Baa Black Sheep
- Incy Wincy Spider
- Humpty Dumpty
- Jack and Jill
Recommended Resources
We have several song and sign books available to purchase. From nursery rhyme books to different themed song books (Australian animals, farm animals, ocean animals, transport, early maths and emotions), we have multiple different songs to suit your needs!
Click here to view our available song and sign books.
We have several free songs available on our free resources tabs. This includes common nursery rhymes, halloween themed songs and Christmas songs!