Easy Preschool Music Program Ideas for Teachers & Daycares
Planning a concert for young children? No problem!
Helping kiddos prepare for stage performances has always been one of my favorite parts of being a music teacher. Watching them share what they’ve learned, seeing how proud they are after a job well-done? SO. MUCH. FUN. Absolute perfection in its imperfection!
And let’s face it — preschoolers singing for their parents? Regardless of what happens up there, the parents are going to LOVE it. It’s basically job security, mishaps and all (and they do happen). They’re just thrilled to watch their sweet little kid on that stage. That’s all that matters.
But so many preschool teachers, kindergarten teachers, and daycare directors get handed these programs to throw together — often with little-to-no music background. Whether you’re planning a preschool music performance, pre-K graduation, Kindergarten concert, Mother’s Day show, holiday program, or end-of-year celebration, putting young children in front of an audience is equal parts thrilling and terrifying (for you and the kids). It can feel like herding feral, wet, singing kittens… until now. I’m here to help! 🙂 Introducing Show-and-Share Programs.
Preschool Music Performances, made easy!
So, what are Show-and-Share Programs? 15 easy-to-use preschool music performances. Designed to be as ready-to-go and as stress-free as possible EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT A MUSIC TEACHER!
Instead of focusing on a polished, traditional “performance,” these programs create a simple, low-stress opportunity for young children to share their musical learning with their families.
Think of a Show-and-Share program as a musical celebration rather than a formal concert.
Children sing simple songs to familiar melodies, move their bodies, maybe play instruments, and participate in musical activities they’ve perhaps already experienced in their music classes (hopefully with Little Kiddos Music Academy® curriculum!)
There is no need to spend weeks teaching an entirely new performance.
There is no expectation that every child will memorize every word. (I’ve got tips on how to manage that later!)
And it certainly doesn’t need to be complicated costumes or elaborate production! (Simple, optional ideas included with every show!)
Instead, children get to demonstrate the musical skills they’ve been practicing all along.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is participation with kiddos getting to shine as they show and share with their families and friends.
Less stress for you. More fun for them. Loads of pride and joy for the parents!
Show-and-Share Programs work perfectly for:
- Preschool music performances
- Pre-K concerts
- Preschool graduation programs
- Pre-K graduation celebrations
- Kindergarten concerts
- End-of-year preschool programs
- Holiday performances
- Grandparents’ Day programs
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations
- Family music events
- Classroom music programs
- Daycare and early childhood center celebrations
How to Keep Preschool Performances Simple
This is where Show-and-Share Programs really help you out. Each program, every single preschool show, is designed to be developmentally appropriate for early childhood.
A successful preschool concert doesn’t need elaborate staging, complicated choreography, in-depth script memorization or weeks of additional rehearsals. Simple (and optional) suggestions help all of that go away!
Becuase less can often be more with young children. (And that makes things a whole out easier and more enjoyable for you!)
Familiar Songs
Every program includes a carefully selected small collection of familiar songs and musical activities. (Typically between 5-7 songs.)
The songs are intentionally simple and recognizable, helping young children feel comfortable and successful. You, as the teacher, are welcome to pick and choose. Use some or use all.
You can start singing the songs during circletime, during transition time, whenever you want! The kiddos already know the melody which makes it way easier for them to quickly pick up the lyrics!
This helps a “performance” feel more like an extension of the classroom, not a separate event you’re bracing for or that feels especially foreign and scary to your students.
Keeping Young Children Focused
The programs each run between 15-25 minutes depending on how many songs and activities you choose to include. That’s long enough for families to enjoy seeing their children participate while still being mindful of young children’s attention spans.
Movement
Adding simple movement to a song isn’t just a cute add-on for the performance — it’s pulling double-duty. It keeps kids locked in and focused (a wiggly body with a job is a lot less wiggly). And when movement gets practiced alongside the lyrics, it builds actual muscle memory. The motion becomes a cue. Kids who go blank on the words will often find their way back when their hands start moving — the body remembers even when the brain’s still catching up.
Optional Instruments, Props, Decorations, Costuming
Some of the songs and shows include adding some simple instruments. Egg shakers are always a plus! Wrist jingle bells for the Winter Wonderland performance? Obviously!
Using pretend silk leaves or printed paper leaves for the Fall Fun show instantly adds seasonal charm and decor!
Having families join in with the music-making or dancing fun builds instant community and a memorable experience!
Simple decoration ideas are included with the preschool music performances. Take ’em or leave ’em!
And, of course, costuming or dress code requirements are absolutely up to you. But how cute would it be to include some construction paper crowns covered in hearts and lovebugs for Hooray for Valentine’s Day? Headbands with different animal ears glued on for Fun at the Farm? Easy and adorable!
Speaking Parts
Not only are there optional teacher introductions and closing remarks to welcome, then thank and dismiss the audience, there are also optional speaking parts with each music program.
As a teacher with over 25+ years in the trenches, my biggest advice: DON’T SKIP SPEAKING PARTS AND DON’T STRESS ABOUT THEM!!! They often end up being one of the best and most memorable parts of a kid concert.
You can assign a line to each kid (or the more brave, confident ones, or a small group), and at the very least, have them copy/repeat them after you on a few occasions before the actual performance.
BUT, the easiest and best way to have preschoolers or kindergartners have a speaking part in their play, their concert, their show: If there’s a microphone on a stand, you mark a tape/smiley face on the floor where kiddo should stand (right up to it) or YOU HOLD THE MICROPHONE. Either way, YOU get as close to the kiddo as possible and whisper the short phrase for them to say (and even it say it along with them). No memorization needed. Not for them. Not for you. You’re the one who gets the ‘excuse’ of having the “cheat sheet!” (the script!)
Another Performance Prep Tip: When having kiddos practice (both singing and speaking), put a teddy bear (or something) on a chair in the very back of the room (as far away as possible) to be their audience. It’s their job to make sure that Teddy Bear can hear them! They’ve got to spit out those words. (You know, DICTION, as we call it in the biz.)
With some classes, I’ve drawn a little old lady on the white board and told them, “Great-Great-Great Granny is going to be sitting in the very back row. She has very old and very bad ears. It’s your job to make sure that even Great-Great-Great Granny can hear you!”) I’ve had kids excitedly ask me afterwards, “Could she hear us?!” Kids are the best!
Yet Another GREAT Performance Prep Tip: I’ve used for years and years through countless kid performances with all ages. It works like a charm! Tell the kiddos that they will be watching YOU. GLUE their eyeballs to you! I’ll even have students pretend to take out their eyes (gross + funny = kid humor and it works!) and THROW them on me. I pat my body quick and all over and say, “Ewww! I’m covered in your eyeballs!” It gets them giggly and works beautifully every time.
I give the students a chance to see their grown-ups in the audience and wave. Then, I tell the audience, it’s the best picture opportunity and we smile real pretty. And then I get those eyballs on me, and it’s go time! Additionally, reminding them that you’ll be mouthing the words (or singing quietly to help them along) makes a big difference, too!
Staging for a Preschool Music Performance
Again, this is where simple really can be best! All of the Show-and-Share Programs are written in such a way that they can easily be adapted from a small in-classroom sharing (think: special guests join the kiddos in the room for Grandparents’ Day or Mother’s Day or Father’s Day…the preschoolers sing a few songs, then join their special visitor and everyone has the lyrics to sing a closing song together before kiddo gets to show them around the room) or they can be performed as a bigger stage production.
It’s, of course, important to keep in mind that putting kiddos in a new environment and/or adding an audience (even small) can bring some added stress to the music event. But, you really can stage these music programs anywhere:
- Preschool Classroom
- Daycare Setting
- Multipurpose Room
- Church Gym
- School Auditorium
- Small Stage
- Community Center
A smaller, familiar environment will almost always be more comfortable for young children. There’s nothing wrong with keeping things cozy!
The goal is to create an environment where children feel comfortable enough to participate.
Show-and-Share Themes for Every Occasion
These preschool shows, kindergarten concerts, daycare music events are available in a variety of themes, making it easy to find a program that fits your school calendar!
- GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – Celebrate the special grandparents and GRANDfriends in children’s lives with a musical program designed especially for sharing music and memories.
- FALL FUN – A musical celebration to kick-off the awesome autumn season. Such a cheerful fall-themed preschool music program. Fall Concert? Harvest Celebration? Pumpkin Party? This works great!
- FEELING THANKFUL – No turkeys were injured in the making of this kid concert. In fact, we skip the turkey and focus entirely on the things we love and all that we’re so thankful for!
- WINTER WONDERLAND – We ring in this festive time of year with seasonal, snowy, sweet songs.
- HOORAY FOR VALENTINE’S DAY – Every kiddo gets to be a lovebug in this music program that’s all about friendship and love.
- SUDDENLY SPRINGTIME – And just like that, it’s here! We celebrate the arrival of spring with activities inspired by flowers, sunshine, and new beginnings.
- MOTHER’S DAY or FATHER’S DAY – This preschool music performance does double-duty so no one gets forgotten. Lyrics can be easily changed to celebrate parents!
- lOOK HOW WE’VE GROWN – The PERFECT music program for the END-OF-THE-YEAR, A PRESCHOOL PROMOTION, pre-K GRADUATION, KINDERGARTEN CEREMONY, etc.
- PATRIOTIC PARTY – A flexible patriotic program that can work for occasions such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or the Fourth of July.
- DANCING WITH DINOSAURS – Does it get any better than a Dino-Party? This music program full of dinosaur-songs and dance will leave fun for eons.
- FUN AT THE FARM – A farm-themed musical celebration featuring familiar animals, movement, songs, and playful musical activities.
- JUNGLE JAMS – Journey into the jungle for some jamming with animals. Lots of fun movement and preschool music JAM-packed into this performance.
- ZOOMING AND VROOMING – Rock, roll, and blast off with our transportation-themed concert. Sure to be a favorite!
- FOREST FROLIC – Fuzzy or fierce, we find fun forest friends to sing about! Super cute preschool performance option!
Simple Practice & Accompaniment Tracks
All 15 music performance programs also include teaching tracks. These are very simple practice (with vocals) mp3s that you can play in the classroom to help everyone feel confident with the lyrics. Perfect to put on during circletime or clean-up time, when kiddos (and you) may want a refresher on the lyrics.
Basic piano accompaniment tracks included as well!
Friendly reminder: I’m a music teacher not a professional recording artist! Looking for a full, professionally recorded Broadway soundtrack?! This ain’t it!😏 But it sure can help as a teaching tool!
Get started on stress-free performances with young kids!
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Are you a preschool or daycare looking for a high-quality music curriculum that actually holds up? It’s not noise, it’s not fluff, it’s not filler — and if you’ve read this far, you already know why.
Little Kiddos Music Academy® gives teachers and directors a research-informed, developmentally appropriate music program built by someone who’s spent 25+ years in the actual classroom, not just the literature. If you’re evaluating curriculum for your center, REACH OUT! — I’d love to talk shop.
Jenny Martin, M.Ed. is the founder of Little Kiddos Music Academy® and has been developing early childhood music curriculum for over 25 years. Her preschool music curriculum – video classes and lesson plans are used in preschools, childcare centers, and early learning programs across the country.
