27 Best TPR Super Simple Songs for Toddlers (Action + Vocabulary)
The best TPR Super Simple Songs for toddlers and preschoolers. 27 action songs with the key verbs and phrases, plus a weekly play plan.
If your toddler is not ready to sit still for flashcards, TPR songs are the best place to start.
TPR stands for Total Physical Response. It simply means: when your child hears "jump," they jump. When they hear "touch your head," they touch their head. The action makes the meaning obvious, so there is no need to translate.
Super Simple Songs has dozens of movement songs. Below are 27 of the best TPR songs for toddlers and preschoolers, grouped by the actions they teach. Use them as a starter playlist, or follow the 4-week plan at the end.
Why TPR songs work so well
- Toddlers learn through movement, not explanation.
- Actions help memory stick faster than pictures alone.
- You do not need any materials — just your body and the song.
- Non-native parents can lead because the actions make the meaning clear.
27 best TPR Super Simple Songs
Greetings and basics
- Hello Hello! — clap your hands, stomp your feet, turn around
- Good Morning Mr. Rooster — good morning, wake up, stretch
- Bye Bye Goodbye — wave, clap, stomp, jump
- What's Your Name? — hello, my name is…
- How's The Weather? — sunny, rainy, cloudy, snowy
Body parts
- Head Shoulders Knees And Toes — head, shoulders, knees, toes, eyes, ears, mouth, nose
- One Little Finger — finger, head, nose, chin, arm, leg, foot
- This Is My Face — face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears
- The Pinocchio — arms, legs, feet, hands
Movement verbs
- Walking Walking — walk, hop, run, stop
- Run & Stop — run, stop
- The Jellyfish — wiggle, clap, jump
- The Hokey Pokey Shake — put your hand/foot in, shake
- Can You Make A Happy Face? — happy face, scared face, surprised face
- If You're Happy — clap your hands, stomp your feet, shout hooray
Animals and sounds
- Old MacDonald Had A Farm — animal sounds + simple actions
- The Animals On The Farm — cluck, baa, oink, moo
- Walking In The Jungle — stomp, jump, slither
- Yes, I Can! — bird fly, elephant stomp, fish swim
- I Have A Pet — pet, bird, fish, cat, dog
Daily routines
- This Is The Way — wash, brush, get dressed
- Clean Up! — clean up, pick up, put away
- First We Wash Our Hands — wash, scrub, rinse, dry
- The Bath Song — wash face, wash toes, splash
Food and actions
- Are You Hungry? — hungry, yes/no, eat
- Peanut Butter & Jelly — spread, peanut butter, jelly
- Do You Like Broccoli? — yes I do, no I don't
4-week TPR play plan
| Week | Focus | Suggested songs |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Greetings + body parts | Hello Hello!, Head Shoulders Knees And Toes, One Little Finger |
| Week 2 | Movement | Walking Walking, Run & Stop, The Jellyfish, If You're Happy |
| Week 3 | Animals | Old MacDonald, The Animals On The Farm, Walking In The Jungle |
| Week 4 | Routines | This Is The Way, Clean Up!, First We Wash Our Hands |
Tip: Sing the same 3 songs every day for a week. Toddlers need repetition to move words from hearing to understanding.
3 no-prep TPR games
- Listen and do. Play the song. When you hear an action word, everyone does it together.
- Freeze action. Pause the music and call out an action from the song. Everyone freezes in that pose.
- Action cards. Use our free TPR action cards to play Simon Says without a screen.
Free TPR printable
- Free Printable TPR Action Cards for Super Simple Songs — 9 action cards you can print and play today.
- Free 52-Week Super Simple Songs Listening Calendar — a full-year plan with TPR weeks built in.
Want a personalized TPR plan?
Tell us your child’s age and native language. Our AI builds a weekly Super Simple Songs routine with the right mix of TPR, listening, and printable activities.
Happy singing — and happy moving!
Get a free AI Super Simple Songs plan
Tell us your child's age, language, and goals. Our AI builds a weekly routine with the right songs, activities, and printable ideas in under a minute.
Create My Free Plan