Top 5 Counting Songs For Kids

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

One song that everyone has come across as they were growing up is “one, two, buckle my shoe”. This counting song dates back to the eighteenth century. As the years went by different versions of the counting song appeared. This song originally describes a day in the life of a lace-maker.

One, two, buckle my shoe refers to the lace workers getting ready to work. Three, four shut the door would mean that they were in the workshop. Five six pick up sticks is getting their wooden tools ready. Seven eight, lay them straight is to fix the sticks. Nine ten -a big fat hen may refer to a pillow to support the lace work or just refer to dinner time since the song continues with references to kitchen and plates.

One, two, buckle my shoe
Three, four, knock at the door
Five, six, pick up sticks
Seven, eight, lay them straight
Nine, ten, a big fat hen
Eleven, twelve, dig and delve
Thirteen, fourteen, maids a-courting
Fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen
Seventeen, eighteen, maids in waiting
Nineteen, twenty, my plate’s empty.

Ten Little Fingers

This song appears in a picture book by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury. Kids can learn counting numbers by counting their fingers and toes in a fun way.

Ten little fingers, ten little toes,
Two little ears and one little nose
Two little eyes that shine so bright
And one little mouth to kiss mother goodnight.

Ten little fingers, ten little toes,
Two little ears and one little nose
Two little eyes that shine so bright
And one little mouth to kiss mother goodnight.

One Gray Elephant Balancing

This is a song by “The Goanna Gang”. Kids can form a group and have a string or rope to play as they sing. Each child joins the line trying to balance holding on to the shoulders of the kid before them.

One gray elephant balancing
Step by step on a piece of string
Thought it was such a wonderful stunt
That he called for another elephant

Two gray elephants balancing
Step by step on a piece of string
Thought it was such a wonderful stunt
That they called for another elephant

Three gray elephants balancing
Step by step on a piece of string
Thought it was such a wonderful stunt
That they called for another elephant

Four gray elephants balancing
Step by step on a piece of string
Thought it was such a wonderful stunt
That they called for another elephant

Five gray elephants balancing
Step by step on a piece of string
All of a sudden the piece of string broke
And down came all the elephant folk

Ten Little Fingers

This counting song is a nursery rhyme for kids to learn to count with their hands. A peppy song which kids enjoy singing together in preschool.

One little, two little, three little fingers
Four little, five little, six little fingers
Seven little, eight little, nine little fingers,
Ten little fingers on my hands.

Ten little, nine little, eight little fingers
Seven little, six little, five little fingers
Four little, three little, two little fingers,
one little finger on my hand.

Johnny Works With One Hammer

It is a traditional action song for children to learn numbers by Nicholas Ian and the illustrator Mike Petrik. Kids can visualize the song as they learn the actions of using the hammer with one hand and counting the number of hammers with the other hand.

1. Johnny works with one hammer,
One hammer, one hammer,
Johnny works with one hammer,
Then he works with two.

2. Johnny works with two hammers,
Two hammers, two hammers,
Johnny works with two hammers,
Then he works with three.

3. Johnny works with three hammers,
Three hammers, three hammers,
Johnny works with three hammers,
Then he works with four.

4. Johnny works with four hammers,
Four hammers, four hammers,
Johnny works with four hammers,
Then he works with five.

Counting songs are essential to teach kids how to count and understand numbers even before they go to school. It is a popular method of introducing early numeracy skill. Kids learn to count first at home from their parents who come up with special ideas teamed with the counting songs they know. Learning with counting songs sets the foundation for effective counting.