I don’t know about you, but when the kids in my house are full of energy, one of the best ways to channel it is through music. Songs are such a magical way to teach English—they’re fun, repetitive, and sneakily educational. Even my most restless little ones can’t resist jumping in when a catchy tune starts playing.
Here’s a list of the most popular songs for learning English, complete with ideas on how to use them to teach vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and have a blast.
- “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”
This classic lullaby is a great way to introduce simple, repetitive phrases that help kids learn basic sentence structures.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: “star,” “twinkle,” “up above.”
- Grammar: Sentence patterns like “How I wonder…”
- Fun Idea:
Pair this song with a craft activity where kids make their own paper stars or draw constellations.
- “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
This high-energy favorite gets kids moving while teaching parts of the body.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: Body parts like “head,” “shoulders,” “knees,” and “toes.”
- Listening Skills: Following along with increasing speed.
- Fun Idea:
Turn it into a game! See who can keep up as the song gets faster.
- “The Wheels on the Bus”
With its endless verses and silly motions, this song teaches action verbs and everyday vocabulary.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: “bus,” “wheels,” “swish,” “beep.”
- Verbs: “go,” “swish,” “beep,” “move.”
- Fun Idea:
Ask kids to come up with their own verses, like “The birds on the tree go chirp, chirp, chirp.”
- “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
Perfect for teaching emotions and action verbs, this song is always a hit.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: “happy,” “clap,” “stomp,” “shout.”
- Expressions: “If you’re happy and you know it…”
- Fun Idea:
Change the emotion! Try “If you’re sleepy and you know it, yawn real loud…”
- “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”
This animal-themed classic is fantastic for teaching animal names and sounds.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: Animal names like “cow,” “duck,” and “pig.”
- Pronunciation: Emphasizing “E-I-E-I-O.”
- Fun Idea:
Bring stuffed animals to the “farm” and let kids act out the sounds.
- “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Short and sweet, this song is great for younger kids just starting out.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: “row,” “boat,” “dream.”
- Pronunciation: Repeating simple phrases for fluency.
- Fun Idea:
Use toy boats in a water play activity while singing.
- “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”
A fun, story-like song that teaches numbers and rhymes.
- What Kids Learn:
- Numbers: Counting down from five.
- Vocabulary: “monkey,” “jumping,” “bed.”
- Fun Idea:
Act it out! Let kids pretend to be the monkeys while you play “the doctor.”
- “B-I-N-G-O”
This catchy spelling song is great for introducing letters.
- What Kids Learn:
- Letters: Spelling “B-I-N-G-O.”
- Rhythm and Timing: Clapping along to the missing letters.
- Fun Idea:
Make a farm scene with a toy dog and let kids spell out “B-I-N-G-O” with letter blocks.
- “Hokey Pokey”
No one can resist the silliness of the Hokey Pokey. It’s great for movement and teaching directions.
- What Kids Learn:
- Vocabulary: “hand,” “foot,” “left,” “right.”
- Listening Skills: Following instructions like “put your left hand in.”
- Fun Idea:
Create a circle with the kids and let each take turns leading the moves.
- “ABC Song”
The ultimate English learning song for kids! It’s the foundation for learning the alphabet and phonics.
- What Kids Learn:
- Alphabet: Letter recognition and order.
- Pronunciation: Clear enunciation of each letter.
- Fun Idea:
Match each letter to an object in the room, like “A is for apple.”
Why Songs Work for Language Learning
- Repetition Builds Confidence: Kids naturally pick up vocabulary and grammar through repeated exposure.
- Music Engages the Brain: Songs activate memory and emotion, making learning more impactful.
- It’s Just Plain Fun: Singing reduces anxiety and turns learning into play.
A Personal Note
I’ll never forget when my nephew, who was hesitant to speak English, finally shouted “Beep, beep!” during “The Wheels on the Bus.” That small moment of joy lit up his confidence—and it reminded me of the magic of music.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone helping a little one learn, songs are an incredible tool to connect, teach, and make memories. So, what’s your favorite song to sing with the kids? Let me know—I’m always looking for new ideas!
