Songs to Pair When Kids Need to “Get the Wiggles Out”
by Dr. Emily A. Snowden
Sometimes our young children get so antsy that we need to give them a chance to work the energy out before we can realistically expect them to slow down and engage with us.
There is incredible power in engaging young children with music. This power is amplified when we sing to them live rather than listening to a recording. This is because music has a profound effect on our bodies, with our heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rates responding to the tempo of the songs.
If our kids are being too “silly” or “all over the place,” matching that energy with a silly or upbeat song can help recapture their attention. Once we have their attention, we can pair a “fast song” with a “slow song” to help bring their heart rates down and produce a calming effect.
This resource gives educators, family members, and other caregivers some active and calming songs to pair during transitions, “brain breaks,” or when you just need to “herd the cats.”
*Tip: Keep a subtle & small rhythm instrument like a shaker or rhythm stick on you to help make the songs more engaging and attention-grabbing!
Start Active
Get them involved with the rhythm, beat, and body movements. It’s great when these songs are silly, engaging, and have a “quicker” tempo. Here are a few of my favorites, including audio displaying the melody, tempo, and how they are “performed.”
My Hand on My Head
A wonderful German folksong that I learned from a music therapist. I have always found it to be a hit that makes both children and adults giggle. As you sing, place your hand on the body part you’re singing about. When singing the “mouth” section, it always gets extra laughs when you muffle your voice with your hand. Same with plugging your nose in that section, as well.
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My hand on my head,
What have I here?
This is my top-notcher,
My Mama dear
Top-notcher, top-notcher,
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)My hand on my eye,
What have I here?
This is my eye blinker,
My Mama dear
Eye blinker, eye blinker
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)My hand on my nose,
What have I here?
This is my smell sniffer,
My Mama dear
Smell sniffer, smell sniffer
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in my school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)My hand on my mouth (cover your mouth and sing this muffled for extra laughs),
What have I here?
This is my food grinder,
My Mama dear
Food grinder, food grinder
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)My hand on my knee,
What have I here?
This is my knee bender,
My Mama dear
Knee bender, knee bender
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)My hand on my foot,
What have I here?
This is my ground stomper,
My Mama dear
Ground stomper, Ground stomper
Dickey, dickey doo
That's what I learned in school.
Boom! Boom! (Clap twice)
Open Them, Shut Them
Another classic and always a hit. It’s also a great reinforcer during cold and flu season as we remind children not to put their hands in their mouths.
Try to follow along with movements that are being described, (e.g., opening and shutting your hands as you sing). Usually on “creep them, crawl them” I like to cross my arms then open them to the beat (like you’re giving a small, loose hug then letting go). Travel down to your toes, jump your hands up high over your head. Finally, travel with the “hugs” from your feet up to your chin (if you want!).
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Open them, shut them
Open them, shut them
Give a little
Clap, Clap, Clap
Open them, shut them
Open them, shut them
Lay them in your
Lap, lap, lap
Creep them, crawl them
Creep them, crawl them
Way down to your
Toes, toes, toes
Make them jump up very high
Then pat them on your
Nose, nose, nose
Creep them, crawl them
Creep them, crawl them
Right up to your
Chin, chin, chin
Open up your little mouth (pause)
…but do not let them in!
Five Little Ducks
A silly song I learned from the music director at the church preschool where I worked. There are some other versions of this song (just like “My Hand on My Head” and “Open Them, Shut Them”). However, this has always been a quick and silly way to perform this classic.
In terms of motions, use your hands to hold up a finger that you’ll use to make a “duck tail” at the beginning of the song. Exaggerate the motion and sound when you “quack, quack, quack!” Remember—the idea is to let kids be wiggly so they can calm down.
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Five little ducks went out one day (Hold up 5 fingers)
Over the hill and far away (Make a rolling up and down motion with your hands and forearms)
But, the one little duck with the feather on his back (Hold up 1 finger, then turn around and make it into a “duck tail”)
He led the others with his “quack, quack, quack!”
Quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack
He led the others with his “quack, quack, quack!”
Down to the river they would go
Wibble wabble, wibble wabble to and fro (“Wibble and wabble” side-to-side like ducks)
But, the one little duck with the feather on his back (Hold up 1 finger, then turn around and make it into a “duck tail”)
He led the others with his “quack, quack, quack!”
Quack, quack, quack
Quack, quack, quack
He led the others with his “quack, quack, quack!”
2. Transition to softness
Once we’ve recaptured their attention and reconnected through song, laughter, and dancing, it’s time to slow down and bring it into a calm space.
If I Was a Butterfly
*This is a religious song and is recommended specifically for Christian faith-based settings.
Another wonderful song I learned from the very talented music director at my old job. For me, this one always brought us all into a thankful and calm place.
You can add motions like flapping wings, and putting your palms together to make a swimming fish. Continue placing hands on heart, smile, and rocking your arms like you’re cradling a “baby.” However, sometimes just the song can be enough.
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If I was a butterfly
I’d thank you, God, for giving me wings
And if I were a robin in a tree
I’d thank you, Lord, that I could sing
And, if I was a fish in the sea
I’d wiggle my tail
And I’d giggle with glee
But, I just thank you, Father for making me me
‘Cause you gave me a heart
And you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus
And you made me your child
But, I just thank you, Father
For making me me
You Are My Sunshine
A true classic, and one you and the children you care for likely already know. This calm, affirming song helps us slow down and connect.
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You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, Dear
How much I love you
Please, don’t take my sunshine away
Lavender’s Blue (Dilly Dilly)
While this English folk song has interesting history and alternate versions, it has been recorded many times throughout recent history as a popular children’s classic that playfully emphasizes human connection. Here’s an abridged version.
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Lavender's blue,
Dilly dilly,
Lavender's green,
When I am king,
Dilly dilly,
You shall be queen.
Who told you so?
Dilly dilly
Who told you so?
‘Twas my own heart
Dilly dilly
That told me so
Lavender's green,
Dilly dilly,
Lavender's blue,
If you love me,
Dilly dilly,
I will love you.
Bringing it Together, Bringing Us Together
These are a few small examples of songs that you can pair to help recapture excited children’s attention and then calm them down. While these are here to spark inspiration, please use any song that you know well, know your children love, and can sing with real joy. You don’t have to be the best singer, either—just a joyful and loving one.
So often in this field, we become so overwhelmed by behavior management that we forget we can transition children between emotional states, physical spaces, and activities through engaging and joyful activities like music.
