It’s officially fall! You know what that means—it’s time to start singing fun fall songs and doing fun fall finger plays with your children!
Finger plays and action songs are interactive and educational, perfect for keeping early readers entertained during the fall season. Fun fall songs include a variety of themed finger plays and fun-filled action songs to learn more about the changing seasons.
Every child, whether they know it or not, loves to sing and dance. Parents have known this for years but never quite appreciated the power of songs to teach lessons until they become a parent themselves. The repetitive nature of most children’s songs gets them moving and interested in what you’re saying without even realizing it. It can also be difficult for kids to learn new words if they don’t see repetition in a song because their brains tend to tune out after seeing something so many times.
There are so many great seasonal activities and great ideas that you can use to get your students into the spirit of the special season—don’t miss these 10 seasonal fall finger plays and great songs!
Benefits of Teaching Finger Plays and Autumn Songs To Preschoolers
Learning new songs is a great way to have some fun while playing together, not to mention it’s one of the best ways to boost your preschooler’s language and literacy skills. Not only do finger plays and songs engage your preschooler’s small muscles, they can also stimulate your child’s brain cells and help them develop important social skills.
Teaching kids new songs is a great way to grow their creativity too, as they start creating their own versions of the tune. Teachers love teaching these song-learning stations in their preschool classroom for the kids to learn about music and rhyme in addition to all those early literacy skills.
Teachers and teaching mama who is looking for preschool fall songs or fall preschool songs should definitely take a look at this list of seasonal fall fingerplays and action songs that are perfect for this time of year.
From apple tree to leaf song, there’s something here for everyone.
Plus we’ve included two extra bonuses: One song each about pumpkins sitting on an oak tree and another about apples falling from an apple tree (our favorite!).
What are your favorite song learning stations?
How To Teach Finger Plays and Cute Fall Songs To Children
Teaching preschool fingerplays and songs to children can be a fun way to introduce them to new words and phrases. Parents must also enjoy this activity with their children, and it is also important for parents to show their kids how much they enjoy it as well. The best way for a parent to do this is by singing along or playing along on an instrument if the parent knows how.
Here are 5 ways to teach autumn songs and cute fall songs to your own kids at home!
1. Say and Sing:
Choose a phrase or word from the song or poem, give your child the same number of fingers you are using, and then make that word by moving your fingers in any combination you want. It may help young children if you say each word aloud as you show it.
2. Use Instruments:
You can use anything from household items like spoons, wooden blocks, maracas, and playdough sticks to instruments like drums or guitars. If your toddler has a drum set or tambourine available, those would work too!
3. Dance:
Young children love doing dances that adults know so well but rarely take time to do themselves anymore- like jumping jacks or moonwalks. Dances will not only get the blood flowing but will provide lots of laughs too! So, show movements to your baby, sing songs together, and dance. Remember – anything goes when it comes to these activities, as long as you have fun together!
4. Repetition is Key:
Children don’t always remember things from one day to the next, so repetition is very important. Find your kids’ learning station. Let your little one watch videos of the fall finger plays and songs while you help him perform the actions. Preschool fall theme ideas often include reading books about apples, apple tree songs, autumn leaves, music and rhyme stations, and many different types of preschool fall songs and fingerplays.
5. Have Fun:
There are many ways to share fall songs and fingerplays with your children, and all of them should be done in a fun environment where both parents and toddlers can laugh and feel free to try anything. The fall season is all about family traditions, so find a new music and rhyme station for your little ones now!
Last but not least, when teaching songs and poems to children, sometimes the simplest route is the best. For instance, you could teach Apple Tree simply by chanting apple tree, apple tree, apple tree as you point up and down alternately with one hand (up with thumb pointing up, down with index finger pointing down). With practice, your baby will learn all sorts of fall lyrics to fall songs and poems!
List of Cute Fall Finger Play Songs To Teach Your Kid
This time of year, apple songs (apple tree song), leaf songs, and fall fingerplays are abundant. Here are ten for you to check out to have some fun that celebrates apples and fall time. Enjoy!
1) Five Little Pumpkins
SONG LYRICS
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, “Oh my, it’s getting late.”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”
The third one said, “But we don’t care!”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run.”
The fifth one said, “We’re ready for some fun!”
Then OOOhh went the wind,
And out went the lights,
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm1qvX1ygOo
2) Autumn Leaves are Falling Down
SONG LYRICS’:
Autumn leaves are falling down,
Red and yellow, orange and brown
Turning, turning round and round
Down, down, down.
Take a rake and rake them up,
rake them up, pile them high
pile them high up to the sky
jump right in
Autumn leaves are falling down,
Red and yellow, orange and brown
Turning, turning round and round
Down, down, down.
Take a rake and rake them up,
rake them up, pile them high
pile them high up to the sky
jump right in.
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKjUPqbt8DU
3) The Farmer Plants the Seeds
SONG LYRICS’:
The farmer plants the seeds,
[Stoop and pretend to plant seeds.]
The farmer plants the seeds
Hi, Ho, the dairy-o,
The farmer plants the seeds.
The sun comes out to shine
[Make a large circle with arms.]
The sun comes out to shine
Hi- Ho the dairy-O
The sun comes out to shine
The rain begins to fall
[Hands flutter up and down.]
The rain begins to fall
Hi Ho the dairy-O
The rain begins to fall
The seeds begin to grow
The seeds begin to grow
[Stand up slowly.]
Hi Ho the dairy-O
The seeds begin to grow
The vegetables are here
The vegetables are here
Hi ho the dairy-O
The vegetables are here
The farmer digs them up
The farmer digs them up
Hi ho the dairy-O
The farmer digs them up
Now, it’s time to eat
Now it’s time to eat
Hi Ho the dairy-O
Now it’s time to eat
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRhGOdqWIIo
4) The Owl Song
SONG LYRICS:
Flap your wings
And fly around
Fly around
Fly around
Flap your wings
And fly around
Just like an owl
Open your eyes
Big and wide
Big and wide
Big and wide
Open your eyes
Big and wide
Just like an owl
Land on the ground
And hop along
Hop along
Hop along
Land on the ground
And hop along
Just like an owl
Turn your head
And say “hoot! hoot!”“
Hoot! Hoot!”
“Hoot! Hoot!”
“Hoot! Hoot!”
“Hoot! Hoot!”
“Hoot! Hoot!”
Turn your head
And say “hoot! hoot!”
“Hoot! Hoot!”
Just like an owl
Just like an owl
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kEjZHKXLDg
5) I’m a Little Teapot
SONG LYRICS:
I’m a little teapot
Short and stout
Here is my handle
Here is my spout
When I get all steamed up
I just shout
Tip me over and pour me out
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6en-O5yF0o
6) Fuzzy Wuzzy Caterpillar
SONG LYRICS:
Fuzzy Wuzzy caterpillar humps along,
Humps along, humps along.
Fuzzy Wuzzy caterpillar humps along,
Out to see the world.
Fuzzy Wuzzy caterpillar goes to sleep,
Goes to sleep, goes to sleep.
Fuzzy Wuzzy caterpillar goes to sleep,
In his warm cocoon.
Someday you will be a pretty butterfly,
Butterfly, butterfly.
Someday you will be a pretty butterfly,
Out to see the world.
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma8FB5A0aC4
7) Mr. Frog
SONG LYRICS:
Mr Frog jumped out of the pond one day
And found himself in the rain
Said he, “I’ll get wet and I might catch a cold…..”
So he jumped into the pond again
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvmYdSHyLJI
8) Scarecrow, Scarecrow
SONGS LYRICS:
Scarecrow, Scarecrow, turn around,
Scarecrow, scarecrow, jump up and down.
Scarecrow, scarecrow, arms up high,
Scarecrow, Scarecrow, wink one eye.
Scarecrow, scarecrow, bend your knees,
Scarecrow, scarecrow, flap in the breeze.
Scarecrow, scarecrow, climb into bed,
Scarecrow, scarecrow, rest your head.
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geFvOfBQNbE
9) Two Little Blackbirds
SONG LYRICS:
Two little blackbirds
Sitting on the wall,
One named Jack,
One named Jill.*
Fly away Jack,
Fly away Jill.
Come back Jack,
Come back Jill.
Two little blackbirds
Sitting on the wall,
One named Jack,
One named Jill.*
Fly away Jack,
Fly away Jill.
Come back Jack,
Come back Jill.
Two little blackbirds
Sitting on the wall,
One named Jack,
One named Jill.*
Fly away Jack,
Fly away Jill.
Come back Jack,
Come back Jill.
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08s1i5h2xFw
10) 5 Red Apples
SONG LYRICS
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw five apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down came 1 apple
And mmm, it was good!
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw four apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down came 1 apple
And mmm, it was good!
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw three apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down came 1 apple
And mmm, it was good!
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw two apples looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down came 1 apple
And mmm, it was good!
Way up high in the apple tree
I saw one apple looking at me
I shook that tree as hard as I could
Down came 1 apple
And mmm, it was good!
Resource:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMNy3mdgqlI
Where To Find Fingerplay Fall Songs
Do you have a little one who needs some fall preschool songs and fingerplays to keep them entertained?
They’ll love these seasonal, kid-approved picks. For each fingerplay, you’ll find an educational video that will help your child learn something new while they have fun.
These 10 Fall fingerplays and action songs will teach your preschoolers about this season’s harvest festivities.
Though the short verses and rhymes are easy to remember, they provide a great lesson on what is happening in the world right now as well as important vocabularies such as shopping and seasons.
You can also find a “Video Resources” link at the bottom of each “fall fingerplays for toddlers” to watch and listen to more cute fall songs at home.
More Fun Activities For Children This Fall
Meditation is an excellent way to achieve calmness and relaxation. Many schools are teaching this skill to children, but families can do it too at home or even in a backyard or park.
Practice “Loving-kindness meditation” and “positive affirmations” with your kids.
The practice of loving-kindness meditation helps children become more compassionate towards themselves and others by sending out positive thoughts. While positive affirmations help change negative thoughts into positive ones, it’s like therapy for your kids’ minds.
Conclusion
As you enjoy the beauty of the fall season, let these fun finger plays and action songs bring the joy and excitement of this beautiful time to life.
And remember, fall is not just about leaves changing colors or coming down from the trees; it is also about spending time with loved ones, having pumpkin-flavored everything, and being happy to embrace another winter holiday season.
So take some time this season to slow down, observe and have some fun in one of the most wonderful seasons of all year.
Try incorporating these seasonal songs into your next play date or school session. It will keep the kids engaged and happy all season long.
We know you’ll love them as much as we do.
