Lyrics of the Teddy Bear Song

Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear, reach up high
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the sky
Teddy bear, teddy bear, bend down low
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch your toes
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go upstairs
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say good-night

Teddy Bear Song

As sure as ticks like dogs, “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” is one catchy and cute tune. This delightful little ditty known as the “teddy bear song” has been getting toddlers giggling and parents grinning for generations. With its playful lyrics and easy to follow actions, it’s no wonder it remains a popular nursery rhyme for preschoolers and parents alike.

Origins and Meaning of The Teddy Bear Song

Now where did this pleasing preschool song come from, you ask? Well sit down and grab some lemonade, and I’ll spin you a yarn. The origins are about as fuzzy as a teddy bear’s fur. While no one knows exactly who penned this pleasing preschool poem, but some estimate it emerged around the same time as the famous Teddy Roosevelt inspired stuffed animals in the early 1900s. “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” encourages imaginative play as children pretend to be teddy bears going through a typical day—from waking up to going to bed.

The playful lyrics of the bring teddy bears to life as the cuddly companions frolic about. The repetitive verses allow even very young children to memorize and act out the words of the “teddy bear song”. Preschoolers love following the directions and moving their bodies. Whether they’re reaching up high, bending down low, or pretending to snuggle in for bedtime, they totally identify with the teddy bear’s actions.

As for us parents, we love how the rhyming reinforce literacy skills. The consistent rhythm and rhyme help kids identify patterns in language. Chanting the repetitive lyrics together fosters parent-child bonding and provides opportunities for hugs and tickles. The lilting lullaby also calms and soothes fussy little ones at bedtime. All in all, the “teddy bear song” offers the bear necessities for wholesome preschool fun and learning.

Fun Facts

• “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” likely originated as a fingerplay, with the hand motions acted out to correspond with the lyrics. Teachers today often use fingerplays to teach young students concepts like up/down, in/out, and stop/go.
• While the “teddy bear song” refers to teddy bears, preschoolers love acting it out with other stuffed animals or dolls. My littlest likes to sing the “teddy bear song” with his baby doll before rocking him to sleep.
• The tune shares a similar melody and structure with other kids’ songs like “BINGO”, allowing for easy memorization.
• The lyrics of the “teddy bear song” are highly adaptable, making the song easy to personalize. Teachers often substitute kids’ names in place of “Teddy Bear” in the “teddy bear song” for a more interactive experience.
• The “teddy bear song” offers opportunities to learn prepositions like up, down, high, low, upstairs, etc. My little guy struggled with these concepts until I had him act out the “teddy bear song”—total lightbulb moment!

Conclusion

Well tickle my tummy and call me full, that about wraps up our lil’ ode to the “teddy bear song.” This delightful ditty has certainly stood the test of time thanks to its catchy rhythm, participatory actions, and ability to capture a preschooler’s imagination. Whether it’s getting the wiggles out or snuggling in for story time, the “teddy bear song” provides wholesome interactive fun for toddlers and parents alike.

Now don’t keep this charming “teddy bear song” to yourself—share it with the little ones in your life! Then tell me all about how they beam with pride mastering the words and motions of the “teddy bear song”. For more kiddie favorites, mosey on back to my original post on nursery rhyme lyrics your kids will love. And if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to have a tea party with my teddy bear—I hope he remembered the scones this time!50 Fun and Educational Kiddie Songs with Lyrics – Sing Along (thecornydad.com)

Hey there! I'm Allen, but you can call me "The Corny Dad" from Canada. I have a wife and four kiddos. Yep, one's full grown, but they'll always be my babies. When I'm not doing something with my family or playing video games, I'm here, jotting down my bits of wisdom on this blog. From the fun stuff to the parenting chaos, I cover it all. Believe me, with the right attitude, parenting's a smoother ride and I'm here to help.