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Preschool Teacher Secrets REVEALED

I have a secret weapon that I’m about to share with you. Today I’m going to share with you one of my biggest Preschool secrets ever. Yes, I was a preschool teacher before I was an entrepreneur and a homeschool mom. I taught in the classroom for approximately 8-9 years before I totally switched gears and owned my own business. Anyways…

I’ve used this method with all of my preschool classes from ages 3-6 and it’s never failed me.

I taught my kids to clean up on cue without telling them to do so, and I’m going to teach you how to do the SAME thing

Remember 90’s Barney? Yes the I love you, you love me Barney. I stole this idea from the lovable purple dinosaur.

They had a cleanup song, but it’s was awful. It was a song that repeated the same 2 lines over and over for 3 minutes straight. That’s a NO GO for me, and probably you, too. Fun fact, Barney songs were used in torture methods by the CIA. That’s a dead giveaway that you reeeallllly don’t want to use that song.

What Preschool Clean Up Song Did I Use?

My go to was Jump by Van Halen. Yes, I used a Van Halen song. But it was the 90’s, and it was still cool to play 80’s music. All the parents thought it was a cool song, and didn’t mind their kids singing it at home. The parents loved it, I loved it, and it was catchy.

Here’s how it works.

About 10 minutes before the kids need to be involved in a project, circle time, or school related activity, I’d blast JUMP. As soon as those synthesizer tones started, my kids KNEW it was clean up time. They’d clean to the end of the song, and by the time the song ended, almost 99% of the time, the room was spotless.

Now, this doesn’t just magically happen, you have you direct them. I’m going to direct you on how to set this up for your home or your pre-k classroom so sit tight.

But it also filled a few requirements that I’d like to outline here as well.

Choosing Your Clean Up Song

Song Selection Tips:

As someone who has taught preschool for a long time, I have some tips for you. I’ll have some suggestions for songs as well in this post, so stay with me.

Make sure it’s CLEAN. Think “Happy” from Pherrel. No innuendos, cursing, or rapping. The last thing you want is an angry parent coming at you for lyrics that slipped by you in your song selection. Make sure you look up the words to the song just to be sure.
Remember, your kids will sing this song after a couple of weeks at home, so make sure it’s something they can sing in front of mom and dad without problems.
Should be a song that is upbeat tempo
Needs to be at least 3 minutes, I like closer to 4-5 minute mark
Song should be something you can stand listening to at least 2-3 times a day without losing your mind.

*Canada week! We made a delicious cake and decorated it like the Canadian flag.*

Clean Up Time!

Once your song is selected, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to have your kids clean up. This will vary if you’re in your home or in a classroom.

In a classroom, if your children are in preschool centers, that’s the EASIEST way to do this. Each child cleans up the center they are currently in and then goes to a directed space like the center carpet or at their seat.
At home, your child may need some direction from you as to what they need to clean up. Blocks on the floor? They’ve got to the end of the song to clean up.

Introduce this to your children or students.
Ideally, the first day of school is the best time to do this, but you can add it in at any time. The first day is always easiest with classrooms, however you can introduce this any time. I will say it really is easier at the beginning of the year. At home, sit your child down and tell them you have something SUPER exciting for clean up time that will make it so much fun. And mean it.

Explain that you’re going to play a special song and they have to the end of the song to clean up a certain area and then do _____INSERT TASK HERE_____.

Play the song and try it out

So now we’re going to try it out the first time.
Play the song and be really animated and excited about it. Help them clean up while the song is on.
You’ll need to help them clean up for the first week at least, maybe longer depending on the number and age of the children.
GO around each center in the classroom and show them where each thing goes, especially if it’s the beginning of the year (clearly labeled bins really help here)

Preschool Clean Up Song Suggestions

Happy by Pharell Williams
Eye on It by Toby Mac (Christian)
Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
Jump by Van Halen
I’m Alive by Celine Dion
Happy Dance by MercyMe
I’m a Believer by SmashMouth
Good Time by Owl City
Fireflies by Owl City
Walking On Sunshine by KC and the Sunshine band
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Amazing Life by Britt Nicole
September by Earth, Wind & Fire
Roar by Katy Perry
Firework by Katy Perry
Don’t Stop Believing by Journey
MMMBop by Hanson

Until next time,

Mandy

Preschool Clean Up Song