November is the perfect time to explore songs that celebrate food, family, love, and gratitude! This month, invite your little musicians to sing about the special people in their lives, the activities they do together, and all the things they are thankful for.
Whether we're preparing a special treat for a family gathering, or simply helping in the kitchen, there's always something sweet happening this time of year. "Let's Get Cookin'" by Stephanie Leavell invites little musicians to imagine all the fun of baking together. Sing, move, and pretend to mix, stir, pour, and bake as you celebrate the joy of making something special with the people you love!
We're keeping the food fun going with a sweet song all about chocolate! "Chocolate," arranged by Sonia De Los Santos, is based on a traditional Mexican rhyme that brings a playful twist to this familiar treat. Kids LOVE this one and they can practice their Spanish, count 1-2-3, and pretend to stir a big pot of chocolate. Try giving each kid a drum or having kids sit around a large gathering drum to use as their “pot”.
Spanish English
Bate, bate, chocolate, Stir, stir, chocolate,
tu nariz de cacahuate. your nose is a peanut.
Uno, dos, tres, CHO! One, two, three, CHO!
Uno, dos, tres, CO! One, two, three, CO!
Uno, dos, tres, LA! One, two, three, LA!
Uno, dos, tres, TE! One, two, three, TE!
“From You” by Charlie Hope is a sweet, gentle song that celebrates the special connections we share with our loved ones. Invite students to think about the little things they've picked up from the people they love, such as personality traits, favorite hobbies, special traditions, or even familiar sayings. What makes them a little bit like the people who are special to them?
What are you thankful for? Sometimes it's the big things, like family and friends, and sometimes it's the little things that make us smile! "Thankful" by Juicebox Jukebox is an upbeat feel-good song that encourages children to think about all the things they appreciate.
"Grateful Heart" by Stephanie Leavell is a sweet way to help children explore what it means to be grateful. Use this song as a cool-down song at the end of your lesson or session and encourage your little musicians to think about the people, places, and things that fill their hearts with joy!
“A grateful heart and an open mind
Teaching us to be kind
To have empathy, lend a hand, make a friend
And have a grateful heart”
Looking for more ideas? Check out our “Gratitude Songs For Kids” playlist and our “Family Songs For Kids” playlist on Spotify!