SongFinding Tools:
Rhythm & Routine Songs

A little ditty based on a military marching and perseverance cadence. We sing this song to remind each other that we started together and will end together. I like to sing this song when things begin, when things are silly, fun and difficult. Be sure to sing when things are good and then it has more associations when things are more challenging.

A little song to sing as a group with hand clapping, body percussion or just voices. Use as a hello, goodbye, or "for all our friends". This flexible song can be shifted to meet many purposes.

Stone Soup is a little story about villagers sharing with strangers and the village having a great feast as a result. Kathryn loves to act this out with families. This is a story song that allows time to act out the story. Pair with a community event in which each family brings an ingredient for a big soup.

A simple and quick song to greet the sun in the morning. Ends with social emotional messages, Includes simple science concept that the sun gives us day and night by sharing its warmth and light. I like to make a rainbow with "top paws" from one bottom paw to another. Opportunity to move through the colors of the rainbow with the children.

A silly ditty written while driving my kiddos with their friends. They thought it was silly, and I had a bit too much fun singing. We use a silly voice when singing it.

A simple and quick song to greet the sun in the morning. Ends with social emotional messages, Includes simple science concept that the sun gives us day and night by sharing its warmth and light. I like to make a rainbow with "top paws" from one bottom paw to another. Opportunity to move through the colors of the rainbow with the children.

A counting song that includes movements and goes through different creatures swimming in the sea. Include any animal that group may be interested in. Use to enhance books that include the sea and don't forget the mermaids or other magical creatures!

Helpful for: GuideNotes, Ukify, Transitions, Giving directions, handling items, go outside, social skills, social-emotional, saying goodbye to parents, attachment, leaving, going home, finish activity, tidy, all done, finish

A simple song about having conversations. Written for an autistic family member, about sharing tales, truths, sharing experience, riddles, jokes, and hopes. This song emphasizes listening and sharing as reciprocal communication. Once this song is "installed" as a GuideNote, we can use this song to give a non-verbal cue to listen and tell and tell and listen, or even to share our words. Pairs well with "Show and tell means listen and share" song.

A simple song written for a bee-keeping family when I encountered at a local park. This is a gratitude song for the bees who helped to make the apple, the pear and the honey to feed the big brown bear. We like to make the buzzy sound and flap our wings when we sing the busy busy bees part.

This little song is a favorite of Frolic the Fox's friends. A counting and math song, where three bunnies are ready for bed but they want to jump in stead. Can use with other actions like spin, wiggle, shake, etc. We start with three bunnies ready for bed and count down while the bunnies on the bed go up to three.

The silliest song to gain attention of a group. Includes movements that can be little or bigger and opportunity for the silliest voices. Leader can sing and wait for group to all throw their eyes so that they can catch them, then lend their ears so they can borrow them. Get as silly as you want!