Hello Song—Jack Hartman

This is the song we sing at the beginning of circle time. Follow the movements in the song.

Hands say hello to your knees (Hello); Hands say hello to your hips (Hello);

Hands say hello to your nose (Hello); Hello, hello, hello

Your thumbs say hello to a friend (Hello); Your pinkies say hello to a friend (Hello);

5 fingers say hello to a friend (Hello); Hello, hello, hello

Refrain (arms in air, sway side to side)

La-la-la, dee-dee-dee, Hands reach high, as high as can be;

La-la-la, dee-dee-dee; Hands together, friends we can be

Your shoulders say hello to a friend (Hello); Your hips say hello to a friend (Hello);

Your toes say hello to a friend (Hello); Hello, hello, hello

Refrain (arms in air, sway side to side)

La-la-la, dee-dee-dee, Hands reach high, as high as can be;

La-la-la, dee-dee-dee; Hands together, friends we can be

Your eyes say hello to a friend (Hello); your smile says hello to a friend (Hello)

Both hands say hello to a friend (Hello); Hello, hello, hello

Deep Pressure Song

This is a song I use occasionally for students who need calming. 

I like deep pressure on my body,

Deep pressure on my body

Deep pressure on my body

Deep, deep pressure

Rationale/Explanation: Deep pressure on the body can be very soothing to children with sensory integration issues. I first apply pressure to the hands—a gentle but deep squeeze. Next, I apply pressure to the head, pushing in slowly from the sides right above the ears—then at the forehead and back of head. Last, I apply pressure to the feet, placing my hands over the shoes and leaning my weight firmly onto the child’s feet. When approaching a child to offer deep pressure, the person should move hands slowly to see if the child relaxes (accepting the touch) or moves away. If the child pulls back or moves away, the person should not try to touch the child in that spot.

Steady Beat Songs

These are some songs you can use to calm kids while putting a steady beat somewhere on their body, such as a knee or back. I don't use these much anymore, but they can be especially helpful for kids with sensory issues to improve calm.

Camptown Ladies

Camptown Ladies sing this song, doo-dah, doo-dah

Camptown race track five miles long, Oh doo-dah-day

Going to ride all night, Going to ride all day

Bet my money on the bog-tailed nag

Somebody bet on the bay.

Sarasponda, Sarasponda, Sarasponda, ret-set-set

Sarasponda, Sarasponda, Sarasponda, ret-set-set

A-dor-ay-o, A-dor-ay-boom-dee-oh

A-dor-ay-boom-dee, ret-set-set

Ah-say-pas-ay-o

Keep the Beat

Keep the Beat, keep the beat, while we’re patting on our body

Patting, patting, on our body.

The beat is the underlying pattern of the song

That keeps us moving all day long, all day long.

You’re A Grand Old Flag

 You’re a Grand Old Flag, you’re a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You’re the emblem of the land I love

Home of the free and the brave

Every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue

Where there’s never a boast or a brag.

But should all acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

Rationale/Explanation: The teacher keeps a steady beat on the child’s body, touching their knees, back, or hands depending on what seems to appeal or comfort the child. A steady beat is organizing and prepares the child for learning. If the child pulls away or cringes, the teacher should stop tapping on the child and move the beat to the chair (if the student tolerates this) or back to the teacher’s own body. This activity is simply for the teacher to put the beat on the student, but the student is not expected to do anything. If the student would like to, s/he may prefer to keep the beat independently by tapping his/her own knees.

Clean up Song 1

We use this song any time that we are cleaning up and transitioning to a new activity.

Clean up, clean up everybody everywhere. Clean up, clean up everybody do your share.

Clean up Song 2

I use this song during clean up from centers.

It is clean up time. It is clean up time. It is clean up time. It is clean up time.

It's time to put your toys away, time to put your toys away, time to put your toys away, it is clean up time.

Clean up Song 3

This is the song I often play during clean up. Here is a link to the YouTube video.

Clean up, clean up, everybody let's clean up. Clean up, clean up. Put your toys away.