The CDC suggests teaching toddlers "simple songs and rhymes, such as 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' or 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.'" The best songs for toddlers to learn are short, repetitive and full of actions: an alphabet song, a counting rhyme, an animal song and a body-parts song. You can sing every one of them without a screen.
Why do songs work so well with little learners?
We'll keep this part short and stick to what health bodies actually say.
The World Health Organization's 2019 guidance lists singing among the best ways for little ones to spend sitting-down time: "Quality sedentary time spent in interactive non-screen-based activities with a caregiver, such as reading, storytelling, singing and puzzles, is very important for child development."
The CDC's tips for 2-year-olds use a song to teach words: "Sing songs, such as 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,' to teach names of body parts." And one of the CDC's milestones by 4 years is that most children say "some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme."
The American Academy of Pediatrics puts it most warmly: "Songs and stories in your own voice are going to make more of a positive impact on your child than any video or cartoon."
Your voice is the main instrument here. You don't need to sing well. Your child just wants to hear you.
Alphabet songs
- The Alphabet Song ("A, B, C, D, E, F, G..."). The classic, sung to the same tune as "Twinkle, Twinkle". Sing it slowly and point to letters on a cereal box or a book cover as you go.
- Alphabet name game. Make up a verse with your child's name: "B is for Bobo, b-b-b!" Start with the first letter of their name. It's the letter they'll see most often, on their cup, their coat hook and their artwork.
At 2 and 3, singing the alphabet is a game, not a test. Our guide What Should a 2-Year-Old Know? explains why. Our alphabet tracing pages give older preschoolers something to do with their hands after the song.
Counting songs
- "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe". Count on fingers as you sing, and do the actions: buckle a shoe, shut a door.
- "Five Little Ducks". Hold up five fingers and fold one down in each verse. Children love the happy ending when the ducks come back.
- "This Old Man". Counts from one to ten with a knick-knack beat. Tap knees, then clap.
- "Ten in the Bed". Line up soft toys on the sofa and let one "fall out" each verse.
After the song, count real things together too: spoons at the table, steps on the stairs, socks in the laundry basket. Touch each one as you say the number. Our numbers and counting hub and number tracing pages have more ideas.
Colour songs
There are fewer classic colour songs, so here are two easy options:
- "Mary Wore Her Red Dress". A traditional folk song. Swap in what your child is wearing today: "Sam wore his blue socks, blue socks, blue socks..."
- Make-a-colour verse to "Twinkle, Twinkle". "Red, red, red, I see red, an apple and a ball and a bed." Point to each thing as you sing.
The CDC's milestones list "Names a few colors of items" at 4 years, so a 2-year-old mixing up colours is completely normal. Lumi's The Color Song is coming soon. For now, visit our colours hub.
Animal songs
- "Old MacDonald Had a Farm". A favourite for animal sounds. Let your child choose the next animal and make the sound.
- "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep". Short, slow and easy to remember.
- "Mary Had a Little Lamb". A gentle song for quiet moments.
- "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Tiny creature, big actions: climb your fingers up, wiggle the rain down.
See our animals hub for more animal ideas.
Body and movement songs
- "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". The CDC's own example. Sing it slowly, touch each body part, then speed up for giggles. Pause before a word and wait, just as the CDC suggests, to see if your child fills it in.
- "If You're Happy and You Know It". Clap, stamp, nod. Add a verse for feelings: "If you're sleepy and you know it, give a yawn."
- "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". Sit face to face, hold hands and rock back and forth.
- "Ring Around the Rosie". Fall down, laugh, get up and do it again.
The CDC's tips for 4-year-olds include: "Play your child's favorite songs and dance with your child. Take turns copying each other's moves."
Routine songs
Songs make everyday jobs easier. Use one familiar tune and change the words:
- "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush". "This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth, brush our teeth..." It works for washing hands, putting on shoes and tidying up.
- "Frère Jacques" ("Are You Sleeping?"). A gentle wake-up song. Sing "Are you sleeping, little bear?" to a teddy first.
- "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". The classic bedtime song. Turn off the lights and sing it softly.
The same song at the same moment every day turns a chore into a small, familiar game.
How to sing with toddlers: five simple tips
- Go slowly. Sing at half speed so your child can hear every word.
- Add an action. A clap, a point or a wave gives little bodies a way to join in.
- Pause and wait. Stop before the last word of a line and let your child fill the gap.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat. Toddlers often ask for the same song again and again. Say yes: each round is another chance to join in.
- Follow their lead. If they want "Old MacDonald" with a dinosaur, go with it.
For a ready-made plan that uses these songs, try our 15-minute daily song routine.
Our song: the LumiLand ABC song
Alongside the classics, there's one LumiLand song so far: the ABC Song for Toddlers, sung by Lumi and her friends. It has a "Sing It Slowly" chapter, which is useful for learning the words, and an "Alphabet Guessing Game" chapter where you can pause and let your child guess. The full lyrics are on the episode page, so you can sing it off-screen too.
Watch and sing together
If your child is 2 or older and you choose to watch, sit together for the ABC Song for Toddlers, sing along, and then switch off and sing it once more, just the two of you. Not sure how much viewing is right? Read how much screen time a 2-year-old needs, or find more ideas on our For Parents page.
Common questions
What songs should toddlers learn first?
Start with short songs that repeat a lot and come with actions, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes". The CDC suggests these kinds of simple songs and rhymes in its tips for toddlers.
Are nursery rhymes good for toddlers?
Nursery rhymes are an easy, free way to share words, rhythm and fun with your child. The CDC's tips for 3-year-olds include teaching "simple songs and rhymes," and saying some words from a nursery rhyme is one of its milestones by 4 years.
How do songs help toddlers learn to talk?
We stick to what the CDC says here: it suggests singing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to teach the names of body parts, then pausing to see if your child sings some of the words. If you're worried about your child's talking, ask your child's doctor.
What are good songs with actions for preschool?
Try "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", "If You're Happy and You Know It", "Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush". Each one has a simple action children can copy.
Do I need videos to teach my toddler songs?
No. Every song on this list can be sung without a screen, anywhere. The World Health Organization lists singing among the interactive non-screen activities with a caregiver that it calls very important for child development.
