How to Teach Children to Memorize Songs in Preschool

Preschool children learn best with repetition and thrive on rhythm and tone. Using songs in a preschool classroom helps children learn basic skills and have fun. Teaching children to memorize the songs takes a little time, but the effort is worth the reward of hearing the kids singing to themselves throughout the day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• CD
• Puppets
• Manipulatives

1. Choose songs that have a familiar rhythm and tone, such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” Most preschoolers have heard this song on television, on a CD or at home. Using a familiar rhythm and tone makes the words easier to memorize because the children don’t have to learn a new beat.
2. Add your own words to familiar beats rather than singing the traditional song. Base your song on themes you’re learning in the classroom. To make memorization more fun, include the children’s names when possible.
3. Begin teaching the song by singing it slowly to the class. Encourage them to join in while you sing it slowly three or four more times. Sing faster as more children begin joining in, even stopping at certain points and letting the class sing the part.
4. Repeat the song every day. Spend at least a week on new song memorization before moving on to another song. Sing the song in the morning, during music time and before the kids go home for the day. Send a copy of the song home so the kids can practice memorizing it at home with their parents.
5. Play the song on a CD player if it’s a traditional song. Online song-downloading programs may have the song available for download if you can’t find a CD. Play the song during lunch or softly in the background during art time.
6. Show a kid’s movie that highlights the song. Seeing and hearing the song helps preschoolers memorize it. If you can’t find a movie, perform a puppet show with the song. Any visual aid helps preschoolers remember facts much easier.
7. Add movement to the songs. Songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” are easier to memorize because the kids have actions going along with the song. The beat for “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” is great for teaching about colors, numbers and letters.

Tips & Warnings

• When possible, use manipulatives with songs. Manipulatives help preschoolers relate an item to the song.
• Start practicing holiday songs a month in advance. This gives preschoolers time to learn the songs and feel comfortable singing them for a holiday show.