This summer I presented two different early literacy programs for Richmond Leisure Services. I enjoyed the opportunity to teach the children some traditional songs. Songs like these are great for preschool storytime.
You’ll find many resources for a kindergarten or preschool storytime or circle time on our “printable downloads” page. You will find rhymes, songs, chants and fingerplays here.
I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
I’ve been working on the railroad,
All the live long day,
I’ve been working on the railroad,
Just to pass the time away.
Can’t you hear the whistle blowing?
Rise up so early in the morn.
Can’t you hear the captain shouting,
“Dinah, blow your horn?”
Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow your horn?
Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow your horn?
Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah,
Someone’s in the kitchen I know.
Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah,
Strumming on the old banjo and singing,
Fee–fi-fid–lee-i-o, Fee–fi-fid–lee-i-o,
Fee–fi-fid–lee-i-o, Strumming on the old banjo
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes,
Toot! Toot!
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes,
Toot! Toot!
She’ll be comin’ round the mountain, She’ll be comin’ round the mountain, She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes.
Toot! Toot!
She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes,
Whoa back!
She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes,
Whoa back!
She’ll be driving six white horses, She’ll be driving six white horses, She’ll be driving six white horses when she comes.
Whoa back! Toot-toot!
She’ll be wearing pink pajamas when she comes,
Tee-Hee!
She’ll be wearing pink pajamas when she comes,
Tee-Hee!
She’ll be wearing pink pajamas, She’ll be wearing pink pajamas, She’ll be wearing pink pajamas when she comes,
Tee-Hee!Tee-Hee! Whoa Back! Toot-toot!
We’ll all go out to meet her when she comes,
Hi-Babe!
We’ll all go out to meet her when she comes,
Hi-Babe!
We’ll all go out to meet her, We’ll all go out to meet her, We’ll all go out to meet her when she comes,
Hi-Babe!
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain,
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see,
To see what he could see,
To see what he could see.
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain,
The other side of the mountain was all that he could see.
Over in the Meadow
Over in the meadow, in the sand, in the sun,
Lived an old mother frog and her little froggie one.
“Croak!” said the mother, “I’ll croak!” said the one,
So they croaked and they croaked in the sand, in the sun.
Over in the meadow, in the stream so blue,
Lived an old mother fish and her little fishes two.
“Swim!” said the mother, “We swim!” said the two,
So they swam and they swam in the stream so blue.
Over in the meadow, on the branch of a tree,
Lived an old mother bird and her little birdies three.
“Sing!” said the mother, “We sing!” said the three,
So they sang and they sang on the branch of a tree.
Father's Day 
or 
great fun to browse. Useful as a classroom resource (check out ‘Finger Paints’ and ‘Sorting Out the Kitchen Pans’) or as a playful alternative to bedtime stories. Have fun!
