Learning English with songs: a daily routine for children

Thanks to their repeated patterns and rhythm, songs help children remember English words and short sentences effortlessly. They work best when you tie them to set moments of the day and repeat them the same way each day.

Morning: a good-morning song

Start the day with a short greeting song. When phrases like “Good morning” and “How are you?” are repeated every day, children start to use them on their own.

Tidy-up time: a clean-up song

Sing the same short song every time you tidy up toys. When the child hears “Clean up, clean up”, they know what to do; language is learned together with action.

Action songs

In songs about body parts or actions, the child touches, jumps, and claps while singing. Movement helps words stick.

Before bed: a calm song

Close the day with a slow song. Repeating the same song every night gives security, both as a routine and for language.

A tip

Repeat a song for a week or two before moving to a new one. Children enjoy a familiar song more and join in with more of the words.

To keep going, see A 15-minute English routine for children at home and Reading English picture books with children.

Frequently asked questions

Does it help if my child doesn't understand the words? Yes. Children pick up the rhythm and repeated words first; actions and pictures make the meaning clear over time.

How many songs should we start with? Two or three short songs for different moments of the day are enough. Repeat each one for a week or two before adding a new one.