One Potato, Two: Simple Transition Songs

Any song can really be used as a transition song as long as you use it consistently so your child knows whats happening, but here are some specific ones that might help your toddler and preschooler move on to the next thing and are so short and easy that you won’t forget the lyrics!

 

For getting ready to go somewhere, including somewhere in the house:

Here We Go Marching:

Here we go marching, marching, marching, here we go marching now

Here we go marching (into your room, into the kitchen, into the car, etc.) 

Here we go marching now

( I add verses to this, like walking, skipping, jumping, dancing, etc. You could choose one that you like best and stick to that or do a few verses. It’s the rhythm and routine of the song that is the big win here.) 

One Potato, Two Potato

One potato, Two potato, Three potato, Four

Now we’re getting ready to walk out of the door

One potato, Two potato, Three potato, Four

Here we go now, right out of the door!

For getting ready to sleep:

Are You Sleeping? (Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?

Let’s lay down, let’s lay down

Ready to dream, ready to dream

Good night now, Good night now

For Eating:

Chew Chew

Chew chew chew your food

Chew it all up

Chew chew chew your food

Then drink from your cup

 

They might seem overly simple or silly, but that’s what makes them so effective. Toddlers and preschoolers don’t need a lot of words to tell them what to do, its something almost mindless that triggers their over-working brain to keep it on task. You can sing these every time you need to head to bed, to the car, or to eat and they will quickly get the message without you having to do a lot of negotiating, explaining, or cajoling. Plus, music soothes the savage beast, even when its just a three-second ditty that lets your kiddo know its snack time. So take it as a win, and get singing!