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“Apples and Bananas” is a cheerful and playful nursery rhyme that introduces children to fun sounds and silly word changes. Kids love how familiar words change their vowel sounds, making the song sound funny and exciting each time. The repetition and rhythm make it easy to sing along, while also supporting early learning. This rhyme helps children build listening skills, recognize sounds, and explore basic phonics in a joyful, stress-free way that parents and teachers truly appreciate.
Apples and Bananas Song Lyrics
This playful rhyme focuses on changing vowel sounds, and the Apples and Bananas words make children laugh while helping them hear how sounds work in language.
I like to eat, eat, eat
Apples and bananas
I like to eat, eat, eat
Apples and bananas
Oh I like to ate, ate, ate
Aaples and bananays
I like to ate, ate, ate
Aaples and bananays
I like to eat, eat, eat
Eaples and beneneys
I like to eat, eat, eat
Eaples and beneneys
Oh, I like to ite, ite, ite
Iples and bininis
I like to ite, ite, ite
Iples and bininis
I like to ote, ote, ote
Oaples and bononos
I like to ote, ote, ote
Oaples and bononos
I like to ute, ute, ute
Uuples and bununus
I like to ute, ute, ute
Uuples and bununus
Other Versions of the Apples and Bananas Song
The other versions include fun adaptations where singers speed up the tempo, add clapping, or exaggerate mouth movements. Some versions focus on only one vowel at a time, while others remix the song with music styles like jazz or acoustic guitar to keep children engaged and entertained.
Very Short Toddler Versions
Eat, eat, eat apples
Eat, eat, eat bananas
Ee-ples, ee-ples
Ba-nee-nees
Ay-ples, ay-ples
Ba-nay-nays
Oo-ples, oo-ples
Ba-noo-noos
Yum, yum, yum
Apples, bananas
Gestures – How to Teach Apples and Bananas to Kids
Using actions makes this rhyme even more exciting and helps children connect sounds with movement. Simple gestures keep kids focused while making learning playful and memorable.
- Pretend to eat an apple by holding an imaginary fruit and taking a big bite
- Use both hands to show a curved banana shape while smiling
- Point to your mouth as you change vowel sounds to highlight pronunciation
- Clap once for each word to maintain rhythm and attention
- Stretch your mouth wide for long vowel sounds and make it small for short ones
- Encourage kids to copy your actions and sounds together as a group
History & Quick Facts
“Apples and Bananas” is a traditional American children’s song that became popular through oral teaching rather than a single known author. It is believed to have originated in early childhood education settings during the mid-20th century, especially in schools focusing on phonics learning. The rhyme gained popularity because of its simple structure and ability to teach vowel sounds in a fun way. Over time, it became a classroom favorite and spread through songbooks, recordings, and children’s television programs.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme is often used to teach vowel sounds in preschool classrooms
- It is popular in English-speaking countries and easy to translate into other languages
- The tune is simple, making it easy for children to follow and repeat
- Many teachers use it as a phonics warm-up activity
- The song encourages exaggerated mouth movements for sound clarity
- It remains a favorite because kids enjoy its silly and changing words
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years, as it combines music, movement, and sound play. It supports early learning skills that are important during the foundational years.
- Builds phonemic awareness by helping children hear different vowel sounds
- Encourages speech development through repetition and sound imitation
- Improves listening skills as children follow changing word patterns
- Expands basic vocabulary using familiar food words
- Strengthens memory through repeated verses and rhythms
- Boosts confidence as kids sing, move, and participate together
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of Apples and Bananas?
The rhyme does not follow a strict rhyming scheme. Instead, it uses repetition and vowel sound variation, focusing on phonics rather than end-word rhymes.
2. Why is the Apples and Bananas rhyme helpful for speech and pronunciation practice?
The rhyme encourages kids to exaggerate mouth movements and sounds, improving clarity and confidence in speaking.
“Apples and Bananas” is a timeless nursery rhyme that blends music, movement, and learning in a way young children truly enjoy. Its playful sound changes make phonics feel like a game rather than a lesson. Parents and teachers love how easily it fits into daily routines at home or in the classroom. With its joyful rhythm and educational value, this rhyme continues to be a favorite for generations of young learners.
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