While we’re spending so much time at home these days, finding new ways to entertain the kids can be challenging. I know a lot of people coming to my website are looking for music in other languages. I’ve written about Russian Children’s Songs and German Children’s Songs in the past. For this post, I asked my Filipino mother to tell me about some of the songs she remembers and this what she found. Here are some Filipino children’s songs.
A note on the language. There are many languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines. Filipino is the standardized, official version that is based on Tagalog, the most widely spoken language in the Philippines. To be honest, it’s all a bit confusing to me. I grew up knowing it as Tagalog – which I’ve learned is how it is referred to within the Philippines, but it can be globally referred to as Filipino. The songs below are in Tagalog/Filipino. If you want to read more about the languages in the Philippines you can here.
Filipino for Kids
The YouTube Channel, Filipino for Kids, has lots of resources to help kids learn about the Philippines through language and song. Here are some of the Nursery Rhymes from their site. They both include the Tagalog and English translations.
Tong, Tong, Tong
Bahay Kubo
Like head, shoulders, knees, and toes
The following song is similar to the English “Head, Shoulders. Knees, and Toes” except it starts at the feet and is sung in a different melody. This version also includes ukelele chords.
Paa, Tuhod, Balikat, Ulo
Filipino Children’s Song Compilations
In addition to the individual songs above, Pambata TV offers many Filipino Nursery Rhyme compilations and cartoon stories. below are a few of the compilations my mom picked out.
Unfortunately, the way the ads are set up with YouTube you can get an ad interruption in the middle of a song – but, considering it’s a free resource, it’s ok with me!
