5 MORE Welcome Songs for Elementary Classrooms
Nothing sets the tone for the day like a joyful, movement-filled welcome song! As certified elementary music teachers and parents, we’ve seen firsthand how kids learn better when movement and music are combined — and how building social-emotional skills into songs helps students feel safe, seen, and ready to engage. These plug-and-play tunes are perfect for your SEL routine, whether you’re just dipping your toes in or ready to shake things up with your classroom energy.
1) Hello, Can You?
If you want movement + vocal practice + giggles + regulation, this is your jam. You can lead it yourself or initiate a call and response. It’s perfect for those wiggly mornings (and especially after lunch recess when energy is high!). Educators especially love that this song ends with students sitting down, taking a deep breath, and easing into a calm, focused state.
2) Hello, Friends (Glad You’re Here!)
This simple sing-along piggybacks on a familiar tune so it’s easy to learn and easy to teach. It’s also great for learning names! Add claps, snaps, or any other body percussion rhythm to keep them engaged. You could even have each student choose a dance or rhythm when their name is called to make it extra special. I originally heard this song from Miss Katie Sings Youtube channel.
3) The Mood Song
This one helps kiddos check in with how they’re feeling and pairs perfectly with any feelings chart. We like to slowly interject more and more nuanced emotions (ecstatic, content, frustrated) as well as synonyms for happy, sad, and tired to build our classroom EQ.
4) Hello, Hello, Hello
This welcome song uses playful movements to help students get the wiggles out at the start of class, while weaving in a feelings check-in that builds connection and supports a positive classroom community.
5) How Are You Feelin’?
More than a hello—this song is an invitation to check in. Kids love using expressive faces or movement to answer (“I’m feeling… happy!”). You can make it a whole group call-and-response or have students take turns solo. It’s music + SEL in one joyful moment. You can use it as a short feelings check in or enjoy the whole video!
Short Feelings Check-In Version
Bonus: “Hey, Hey, Are You Ready?”
We’re always writing and recording new tunes, and this is a sneak peak of what we have coming up this year! It’s great for teaching rhythms or inviting an improvisational call-and-response.
When planning time is tight, it helps to have ad-free, ready-to-use resources you can trust. This video—and many more—live in our SEL Core Resource Library, with plug-and-play lessons and optional chords and lead sheets for deeper musical work.
Save our Welcome Song Playlist on Spotify:
Save our Welcome Song Playlist on Youtube:
