Best Sitting Movement Songs For Preschool, Kindergarten & First Grade

SITTING MOVEMENT SONGS

Full Sitting Movement Songs Spotify Playlist

 When we hear the term “movement song” lots of us think "get everyone up and moving!" And while this is true for a lot of storytimes it’s not always the best choice for some groups. 

1. Very young or energetic kiddos may do better with seated movements. They can work up to standing movement songs, but sometimes they need to begin with seated sequences.
2. Very large groups (think 40-200 children in an outreach or school assembly setting.) These groups often have to be seated close together to squeeze into a space and they need to stay seated so there is no domino effect if (when) someone goes a little too hard. 
3. Children in wheelchairs need options that do not require standing. 
4. Caregivers with mobility considerations are more likely to participate if they don’t have to get up and down.
5. Sometimes kiddos just don’t need the extra stimulation of getting on their feet.

Plus there is so much movement that can happen from a seated position! 

For example, I have a close friend who is an elementary school librarian and her kiddos love my song Wiggle Wiggle Stop. However, the kindergartners can get a little overstimulated when they jump, stomp, tip toe, and spin. So I made an alternative Wiggle Wiggle Stop - Seated Version where they blink, shrug, nod, and wave. Same structure, same stop and go, same listening game, just designed for sitting down.

And the great news is the skills don't disappear when the standing does! Kids are still working on a full list of skills when doing Wiggle Wiggle Stop song seated: 

Following multi step directions. Blink, shrug, nod, wave, stop is a real executive function workout, not just a cute bonus.

Self-regulation. We start and end with patting, which is one of the most regulating movements. 

Body awareness. This song works on proprioception (awareness of where your body is in space) and coordination (where your body parts are and how to coordinate movements.)

Rhythm and beat awareness. Although the song is stop and go - there is still a steady beat and pattern to follow, which helps break the phonemes in the words up into syllables. 

Impulse control. The whole game is stop and go. That is the same skill whether you're jumping or blinking.

Crossing the midline. Many of the movements cross the midline of the brain which prime the brain for learning.

Vocabulary. Action verbs and body part words, reinforced through repetition and doing.

Group cueing. Watching a leader and matching a cue is a skill they will use for years to come.

The seated Wiggle Wiggle Stop keeps every one of those goals intact - and there are many more great seated movement songs from my catalog and other brilliant musicians!

I built a whole playlist of songs I trust for a seated movement. You can find the playlist on Spotify HERE, but here’s the list so far:

Wiggle Wiggle Stop - Seated Version by La La Librarian

The Green Grass Grows All Around by La La Librarian

Hand motions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeKLX7qtJoo

Riding In My Car by La La Librarian

Movin’ and Shakin’ by La La Librarian 

Hand motions (substitute claps if you forego egg shakers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIHdEtORBgk

Move to the Beat (The Sitting Movement Song) by Stephanie Leavell

Hands Are for Clapping by Jim Gill

Beethoven’s Five Finger Play by Jim Gill

Knuckles Knees by Jim Gill

One from the Left (A Finger Play) by Jim Gill

Hand motions: https://youtu.be/2CX-jFsVtR4?si=hXEt2Vk96uD-c95k

Two For Tea by Jim Gill

Moon Moon Moon by Laurie Berkner

Hand motions: https://youtu.be/gR8I6tuU7vM?si=hz55kdSMRbMiVhW8

These Are My Glasses by Laurie Berkner

Hand motions:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dvl1oa5AVc&t=41s

Fireflies by Laurie Berkner

Hand motions: https://youtu.be/4OjsLiFrS1Q?si=2fmA5tZT4LHckgoD

Arriba Means Up! by Dan Zanes, Claudia Zanes

Mosquito Burrito by Roger Day

Hand motions: https://youtu.be/VP4Q2mACgNI?si=5ey2Fbow8mPfbrMF&t=92

Can You Point Your Finger by Roger Day

Drivin’ In My Car by Ralph’s World

Stop and Listen by Charlotte Diamond