Fingerplays & Songs
One slow verse, one fast verse, and a surprise at the end.
Sing It
Slow and gentle
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream!
sit and pretend to row slowly, back and forth
Fast and silly
Row, row, row your boat,
Quickly to the shore.
If you see a lion,
Don’t forget to roar!
ROAR!row fast, then roar together
Sit facing a partner, hold hands, and rock forward and back like one boat.
Other Endings
gently through the river
if you see a polar bear, don’t forget to shiver
gently through the stream
if you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream
gently through the creek
if you see a great big snake, don’t forget to shriek
Try This
Sing the slow verse first so the fast one feels like a surprise, then ask which they liked best.
Watch For
Children who row in time with a partner, who change speed with the verse, or who guess the rhyming ending.
No materials needed · 3–5 minutes · Circle time, partner play, or water talk
The Nest Schools