Teaching English as a Second Language: 10 Preschool Transitions– Songs and Chants to Help Your Day Run Smoothly

Have you ever met a preschooler who doesn’t like music? Maybe I’m wrong, but I think every little kid is drawn to music. There’s something about it that draws them in and points their attention at whoever is making music.

Over the summer I took a class on early childhood transitions with a lot of preschool teachers. The course was designed to help teachers plan out an effective schedule and transitions to help decrease the number of behavior issues that happen throughout the preschool day. Since I was the only homeschool teacher/mom, she had me come up with transition activities I could do at our home. I came up with several transitions that I love to use now.

10 Preschool Transitions--songs and chants to help your day run smoothly

First of all, what is a transition? A transition is something that helps moves children from one activity to another. An example would be from lesson time to story time or clean up time to snack time. Transitions can be rhythmic chants, songs, or short stories. It is super important to have these transitions as a classroom teacher. Whenever you have dead time, that’s when the behavior problems start happening! (Am I right fellow teachers?!) Something I really love about transitions is that it introduces kids to music, rhythm, and rhyming. You do not need to be a great singer to use these at home! Just try your best and your child will love it!

Today I’m going to be sharing with you 10 transition songs and chants to help your preschool day run smoothly.

1. Wiggle Your Fingers, Stomp Your Feet!— This chant is great for helping a child get their wiggles out and ready to focus on school!

2. Do You Know What Time it Is?–a great song for practicing time! Maybe if you're transitioning from playtime to school time, then you would sing this song to signal that school is starting.