Transition

Notebook
Kelly Woodward

Attention
Getters

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Clap your hands

Age Appropriate: 3+

Description of activity: the teacher will start

chanting the tune and the children listen to the
directions in the chant. This can be used to get
the childrens attention
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. R. (n.d.). EarlychildhoodNEWS. Retrieved
March 2014, from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/
article_view.aspx?ArticleID=309

Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

Tune: ("Row Your Boat")
Clap, clap, clap your hands.
Clap your hands with me.
Clap, clap, clap your hands,
Oh, so merrily.
(Sing other variations, such as "roll your hands," "dance
around," "jump up and down," or ask children to suggest
different movements.)

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Are you listening? Age
Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: The teacher will
sing this song to get the children to settle
down and be quiet. The teacher can also
soften their voice and get quieter the more
they sing it
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Preschool Education. (1998, 7 23). Retrieved
March 2014, from
http://www.preschooleducation.com/stra
nsition.shtml
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
(tune: are you sleeping?)
Are you listening? Are you listening?
Everyone, Everyone.
If you are listening. If you are listening.
(Clap, stomp, slap, etc.) three times.
1..2...3..

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Alligator, Alligator
Appropriate: 4+

Age

Description of activity: The teacher will

name an animal twice and the children will
say what noise that animal makes twice. The
teacher can keep changing the animals until
the they have the childrens attention
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Ruth. (n.d.). A to Z teacher stuf. Retrieved
March 2014, from
http://tips.atozteacherstuff.com/143/atte
ntion-getters/
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Teacher: Alligator, Alligator
Children: Chomp, Chomp
(You can change the animal and the animal sounds)

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Surprise Sack Age Appropriate:
3+
Description of activity: the teacher will
have a sack with item/items in it and the
children will have to guess what is in the bag
Materials Needed: Sack with items in it
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. R. (n.d.). EarlychildhoodNEWS. Retrieved
March 2014, from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychild
hood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=309

Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

(Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")
What's in the surprise sack, who can tell?
Maybe it's a book, or maybe it's a shell.
What's in the surprise sack, who can see?
It's something special for you and me!
(Have children guess what they think is in the
bag, then remove it and share it with them.)

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Make a lap Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: Ask the children
to repeat each line and model the motions
for them.
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's
Do Something Diferent. Lewisville,
NC: Gryphon House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
I tap my head
I push my nose
I pull my ear
I touch my toes
I clap, clap, clap
Then I sit down
And make my lap

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Henry Hush

Age Appropriate: 3+

Description of activity: Draw a face on

your index finger. Wiggle Henry Hush as you
sing the tune softly. This will make the
children be quiet.
Materials Needed: Marker
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Henry Hush says,
please be quiet,
Please be quiet,
Please be quiet.
Henry Hush says,
please be quiet.
Sh! Sh! Sh! (place henry over your
lips)

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Criss-Cross Applesauce Age Appropriate:
3+

Description of activity: The teacher will

encourage the children to join in the motions
as they say the poem. This is good to use for
when the teacher needs to get children to sit
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Criss-cross applesauce,
Give a little clap. (clab hands)
Criss-cross applesauce,
Put them in your lap. (put hands in
lap)

Criss-cross applesauce,
Quiet as can be.
Criss-cross applesauce
Eyes on me. (point to self)

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Squat and Sit
Age Appropriate:
3+
Description of activity: The teacher will
call out squat and sit and wait for them to
squat or sit down on the ground. When they
are still, whisper what you want them to do
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
None

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Make Rain Age Appropriate: 3+
Description of activity: Tell the children to
watch and do what you do. The teacher does
the moves below to make sounds
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Slide palms back and forth
Tap fingers together
Snap fingers
Clap hands
Slap thighs
Stomp feet
Slap thighs
Clap hands
Snap fingers
Tap fingers together
Slide palms back and forth
Lay hands quietly in your lap

Transition Time: Attention Getter

Title: Follow the flashlight Age Appropriate:
3+
Description of activity: turn off the lights
and have the children line up behind you. Turn
on a flashlight and make an imaginary trail
with the flashlight for the children to follow.
When youre done, sit quietly on the floor
Materials Needed: flashlight
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

From here
to there

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: If youre wearing red today
Appropriate: 4

Age

Description of activity: The teacher will start

singing and the children will start participating in
the transition. This can be used to transition the
children from one area to another
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Gayle's Preschool Rainbow. (n.d.). Retrieved March
2014, from
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/transitionrhymes.htm
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
(Tune: Muffin Man)
If you're wearing red today,
Red today, red today,
If you're wearing red today,
Come sit by me
Repeat: for other colors

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Surprise Apron Age Appropriate: 3+
Description of activity: The teacher will
wear the apron filled with items. The children
will come and sit down to figure out what the
teacher has. This can be used to transition
from one activity to the other
Materials Needed: Apron filled with items
Reference/Source:
Warren, J. (n.d.). Preschool Express. Retrieved March 2014, from
http://www.preschoolexpress.com/music_station02/music_st
ation_2_nov02.shtml

Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

Tune: The More We Get Together
Somethings in my pocket, my pocket, my pocket.
Somethings in my pocket, oh what could it be?
Come and join me.
Then everyone will see.
Whats in my pocket, oh what could it be?

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Song to aid transition Age
Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: The teacher will
begin singing this song and can change the
words depending on where they are doing
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
(1998, September 16). Retrieved March 2014, from
http://www.preschooleducation.com/stransition
.shtml

Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

(tune: London bridges)
Time to put our work away, work away, work away,
Time to put our work away, so we can play outside.
Now it's time to come inside, come inside, come inside,
Now it's time to come inside, so we can have some snack.
Let's all go wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our
hands,
Let's all go wash our hands, so we can have some lunch.
Now it's time to say good-bye, say good-bye, say good-bye,
Now it's time to say good-bye until another day.

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Pick a Pair Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: The teacher hands
out each child a card. The child then finds the
other child who has the matching card. They
can then go to a center together
Materials Needed: poster board, scissors,
matching pictures, glue
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
None

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: This is the way Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: The teacher sins
this song while children put on their hats,
coats, etc
Materials Needed: hats, coats, etc
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
(tune: mulberry bush)
This is the way I put on my coat,
Put on my coat, put on my coat.
This is the way I put on my coat
Before I go out to play.

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Name Game
Appropriate: 4+

Age

Description of activity: The teacher sings

this song and when the child hears the letter
their name starts with, they stand up
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
(tune: if youre happy and you know it)
If your name begins with A please stand up
If your name begins with B please stand up
If your name begins with C, D, E, F, or G
If your name begins with H please stand up

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Sign Language Age Appropriate: 3+
Description of activity: give children
directions for lining up and other commands
using sign language
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Outside voices Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: have children put
their outside voices in a bag before
transitioning into a quiet activity.
Materials Needed: a decorative bag
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: Name HuntAge Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: have half the
childrens names in a basket and have the
other half of the children draw a name out
the basket. They then find their partner to
walk with when transitioning
Materials Needed: name cards, basket
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

Transition Time: From here to there

Title: invisible writing Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: write a shape,
letter, or number on the childs back and
when they guess it right, they can be
dismissed from the circle to a center
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

While you
wait

Transition Time: While you wait

Title:

Put your fingers on your lips

Appropriate: 3

Age

Description of activity: the teacher will start

singing and grab the childrens attention to get
ready for quiet time. This can be used for
transitioning to an activity where the children
need to be quiet
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Teaching Mama. (2013, September 4). Retrieved
March 2013, from
http://teachingmama.org/10-preschooltransitions-songs-and-chants-to-help-yourday-run-smoothly/
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
(tune: if youre happy and you know it)
Put your finger on your lips, on your lips, shh shh
Put your finger on your lips, on your lips, shh shh
Put your finger on your lips and dont let it slip
Put your finger on your lips, on your lips

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: Boom Chicka Boom
Appropriate: 4+

Age

Description of activity: This is an echo

chant so the teacher will say each line and
the children will repeat after each line.
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

I said a boom chicka boom

I said a boom chicka boom
I said a boom chicka rocka chicka rocka
chicka boom
Un, huh
Oh, yeah
One more time

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: B-I-N-G-O Age Appropriate: 3+
Description of activity: Sing the verse all
the way through the first time. Next time clap
instead of saying B. Then clap instead of
saying B I. And so on until each letter is
replaced by a clap
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
There was a farmer had a dog
And bingo was his name-o
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
B-I-N-G-O
And bingo was his name-o

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: Cookie Jar Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: The teacher and
class sing the song and replace the blank
with a kids name. The class repeats the verse
until each kids name is filled into the blank
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
_______ stole the cookie from the cookie jar
Student: who me?
Class: yes you
Student: couldnt be
Class: then who?

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: Singing the ABCs
3+

Age Appropriate:

Description of activity: you sing the alphabet

in different versions such as a monster version,
mouse version, etc.
Materials Needed: None
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O,
P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y and Z.
Now I said my ABCs,
next time wont you sing with me
Monster version- sing in a loud voice
Mouse version- sing in a high pitch, squeaky
voice
Opera version- sing dramatically
Backward version- turn around and sing
The kids can make up their own version as well!

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: The more we get together
Age Appropriate: 3+
Description of activity: you sing the song
the more we get together while swaying
from side to side
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (1995). Transtion Time: Let's Do
Something Different. Lewisville, NC: Gryphon
House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:

The more we get together

Together, together
The more we get together,
The happier well be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together,
The happier well be

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: Lollipops

Age Appropriate: 4+

Description of activity: use lollipops with

names of songs on them for children to sing
while waiting
Materials Needed: paper circles, markers,
popsicle sticks, glue
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc.
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
none

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: Heres a box

Age Appropriate: 3+

Description of activity: you create a box with your

hands and you take out whatever the child says is in
the box and you make a noise or motions to imitate
what they said
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks. Beltsville,
MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Heres a box (form fist with left hand)
And heres the lid ( open right hand and place on left
fist)
I wonder what inside is hid?

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: The Hug Song Age Appropriate: 4+
Description of activity: sing along with the
children and this helps them get settled down
and quiet
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
Tune of row, row, row your boat
Clap, clap, clap your hands (clap hands)
Stomp, stomp your feet (stomp feet)
Give yourself a great big hug (hug self)
Because you are so neat.
Clap, clap, clap your hands (clap hands)
Stomp, stomp your feet (stomp feet)
Give yourself a great big hug (hug self)
And then you take a seat.

Transition Time: While you wait

Title: ABC stretch

Age Appropriate: 3+

Description of activity: have the children

stand and stretch a different way each time
you say a letter.
Materials Needed: none
Reference/Source:
Feldman, J. (2000). Transition Tips and Tricks.
Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House, Inc
Words, lyrics, tune, etc:
A (stretch arms above head)
B (touch shoulders)
C (touch your toes)
And keep going through the alphabet