This topic is where my passion for music education and love for Waldorf combine.

Verse and song form an important part of the daily rhythm and routine in Steiner kindergartens. A simple song can let the children know that it is time to pack up and another can have them rushing to the sink to wash their hands.

Music in the mood of the fifth is a type of music based on indications from Rudolf Steiner. This post focuses on more commonly known nursery rhymes, but if you’re interested in learning about mood of the fifth, click here.

Why rhymes are important for toddlers

Exposing children to music at an early age can have many developmental benefits. It assists with language development, builds early music and social skills and can lead to literacy gains later in life.

Infants and toddlers benefit greatly from finger games and rhymes which involve the extremities. Finger games help them to become more aware of their bodies and to develop their fine motor skills. Steiner believed that children grow down into their bodies, rather than ‘grow up’ as we commonly say.

Verse and song in the Waldorf preschool often focus on fantasy; encouraging the children to see rich imaginative pictures and seasonal themes. Children are also encouraged to become more aware of their external environment and to bring more flow to the daily rhythm.

Toddlers benefit from songs and rhymes which can be repeated from day to day. You will be bored of a rhyme long before your toddler! Lean into the ‘simpleness’ of a rhyme and know that at this age a rhyme or song can never be too simple.

How to teach rhymes to toddlers?

Toddlers learn by imitation. By singing and speaking rhymes throughout the day your toddler will gradually learn new songs and verses.

Attending a regular music class or session at the library is one way to expose your child to more music. However, incorporating songs into your day is an easy way too provide the developmental benefits without adding on another activity.

Best Toddler Action Songs and Nursery Rhymes

A Ram Sam Sam

This song has Moroccan origins and the words are mostly gibberish. There are many variations on the actions and words – these are the ones which I learnt.

A ram sam sam,
A ram sam sam,
Guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam.

A ram sam sam,
A ram sam sam,
Guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam.

A rafi, a rafi,
Guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam.
A rafi, a rafi,
Guli guli guli guli
Ram sam sam.

Incy Wincy Spider

This well-known nursey rhyme is a favourite with my 2-year-old. It’s excellent for developing fine motor skills and provides such a sense of achievement when the child masters it.

Incy Wincy spider
Climbed up the water spout

Down came the rain
And washed poor Incy out

Out came the sunshine
and dried up all the rain

And Incy Wincy spider

Climbed up the spout again.

Five Little Bunnies

This counting rhyme benefits early numeracy skills and is also good for exploring beat.

There were five little bunnies in the bakery shop.

The kind with the sugar and the honey on top.

Along came a child with a penny to pay.

They took this little bunny and ran away.

There were four little bunnies…

Where is Thumbkin?

My 2.5 year old has just started showing an interest in the different fingers and their names, so this game seemed like the perfect fit!

Where is thumbkin? Where is thumbkin?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this morning,

Very well I thank you.

Run away. Run away.

Where is pointer? Where is pointer?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this morning,

Very well I thank you.

Run away. Run away.

Where is tall man? Where is tall man?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this morning,

Very well I thank you.

Run away. Run away.

Where is ring finger? Where is ring finger?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this morning,

Very well I thank you.

Run away. Run away.

Where is pinky? Where is pinky?

Here I am. Here I am.

How are you this morning,

Very well I thank you.

Run away. Run away.

Engine Engine No. 9

A short and simple rhyme which is perfect for developing beat and language.

Engine, engine no. 9

Going down Chicago line.

If the train goes off the track,

Will I get my money back?

Yes, no, maybe so.

Whoops! Johnny!

A quick and easy game which engages the sense of touch.

First do the action on your hand and then your little one’s.

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, whoops!

Johnny, whoops!

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.

Start by tapping on your left pinky with the opposite pointer finger as you say ‘Johnny’. Each time you say ‘Johnny’ you tap the next finger.

On the ‘whoops!’ Slide down the pointer and land on the thumb and say ‘Johnny’.

Slide back up the pointer finger on ‘whoops’ landing on the pointer finger and say ‘Johnny’.

Tap each of the remaining fingers until you reach the pinky, saying ‘Johnny’ each time.

Open, Shut Them

A lovely game to share with little ones. You can also do the actions on their body.

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Give a little clap!

Open, shut them

Open, shut them

Lay them in your lap

Creep them, creep them

Creep them, creep them

Right up to your chin.

Open wide your little mouth.

But do not pop them in!

Criss Cross

This is a fun sensory game to share with your little one. It offers connection with a variety of different touch.

Criss cross apple sauce

Spider crawling up your back.

Cool breeze, tight squeeze

Now you’ve got the shivereeze!

This is the Way We…

This is the way we wash our hands,

Wash our hands,

Wash our hands,

This is the way we wash our hands

On a cold and frosty morning.

Dusty Gnome

I’m a dusty, dusty gnome

And I just can not stop.

I’m a dusty, dusty gnome.

Look out! Look out! Jack frost is about!

Waldorf Birthday Verse

Let me know if have tried any of these with your little one.