Lullabies in Music Class

Every year, a good friend of mine visits the music room, and my Kindergarteners love it. His name is Teddy, and he helps us learn about lullabies and dynamics. Using lullabies in music class is something I don’t see very often, so I wanted to share three ways that I use them with elementary students.

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1. Sing to Teddy

During the time of year when we are learning about dynamics, there’s always that special day when Teddy comes to visit Kindergarten music class. I tell them that I’m very tired, because my friend Teddy here, wouldn’t go to bed last night. I tried singing to him, and he still wouldn’t sleep! “See, I even rocked him and sang to him like this,” I say. Then I proceed to shout-sing “Star Light, Star Bright.” When I’m done, as kids uncover their ears and calm their giggles, they explain to me that I was too loud. “Will you sing it with me, so I know how to sing it?” I ask, and we sing it quietly. We discuss that a lullaby is a quiet (piano) song we sing to help someone fall asleep, and we sing any other lullabies that the kids know.

This time when we are singing other lullabies is my favorite. While they think about lullabies they know, you can pass out teddy bears, beat buddies, or finger puppets to the class. Students can share songs from their own homes, which is such a great connection to make. While we sing the songs in our quiet voices, we rock our toys to the steady beat. What a great social-emotional activity, right? If you are in distance learning, students can grab a toy from their room to rock. And if you’re worried about germs at school, bath toy animals or rubber ducks are easy to sanitize.

2. Explore Lullabies from Around the World

It’s easy to forget that the lullabies most of us grew up with, like “You are My Sunshine” are not the only lullabies out there. Instead of centering only the familiar, try incorporating lullabies from other cultures, and in other languages. Some students may name lullabies from other cultures when you ask them about the lullabies they’ve heard at home. If this is the case, you have a wonderful opportunity for the kids to hear other lullabies straight from a culture bearer. If not, there are other ways to incorporate different lullabies in music class. For a movement activity, give the students scarves, and put on a lullaby like “A la Nanita Nana,” “Lakota Lullaby,” or “Zimbolé.” They can move in their space to the music. For more of a listening activity, have the students respond artistically to the music. Students can draw a picture based off of what they hear in the lullaby.

3. Singalong Story Time

Singalong books are one of my favorite activities to use at the end of the lesson to wind down. Many great lullabies have been turned into picture books. Let’s take a look at some gems you can sing to your students.

Momma Buy Me a China Doll

If you don’t own any of John Feierabend’s collection of songtale children’s books, do yourself a favor and snag this one. The young girl tries to persuade her mother to buy her a porcelain doll. After her mother asks where they’d get the money from, silliness ensues. Children giggle at illustrations of a kid sister crammed in a cradle and a horse in a bed. But the song’s melody and lyrics are soothing. Like all of Feierabend’s books, you can find the melody on the last page.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Iza Trapani has illustrated many folk song books. What’s really neat is that after she depicts the classic verses we all know, she continues with additional verses with original lyrics. Her version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is about a little girl who goes on a magical adventure with the star she wished upon.

Hush, Little Baby

Of course this lullaby is an American classic, but the illustrations for this book are by the great Marla Frazee. The family tries everything to calm the baby, which is a cute way to make connections about student’s siblings or cousins. And as a new mom, I sure can relate, too!

Want More Lullaby Activities?

Looking for more ways to use lullabies in music class? I created a resource with printable and digital activities for learning about lullabies. You can use specific activities during your dynamics unit, leave the printables or digital lesson as a sub plan, or assign it on Google Classroom during distance learning. I’ve used it all kinds of ways with my own students, so I hope your students enjoy it as much as mine did!