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“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” is a classic nursery rhyme that paints a simple, playful picture of a rainy day and a sleepy old man. Children love this rhyme because of its easy rhythm, repeating sounds, and slightly funny storyline that sparks curiosity and giggles. The short lines make it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to listen, remember, and sing along without feeling overwhelmed. For parents and teachers, this rhyme is a gentle way to introduce early learning concepts like weather words, cause and effect, and emotional expression. Singing it together also supports language development, as kids practice pronunciation, rhyming, and sentence flow. The calm, predictable pattern of the rhyme helps improve memory and listening skills while creating a cozy bonding moment during story or music time. Overall, it’s a warm, familiar rhyme that blends fun with foundational learning in a very natural way.
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring Song Lyrics
This well-known rhyme uses simple storytelling and It’s Raining, It’s Pouring words to create a memorable song children enjoy singing again and again.
It’s raining; it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He bumped his head on the top of the bed,
And couldn’t get up in the morning.
Other Versions of the It’s Raining, It’s Pouring Song
Over time, a few light variations of this rhyme have appeared in children’s books and songs. Some versions add extra lines about the old man waking up or the rain stopping, while others slightly change the ending to make it less sad for younger children.
Version 1 – Softer Ending
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head,
And went back to sleep in the morning.
Version 2 – Waking Up Version
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head,
But he got right up in the morning.
Version 3 – Extended Classroom Version
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and bumped his head,
And couldn’t get up in the morning.
So we called the doctor, the doctor said,
Get back to bed in the morning.
Version 4 – Gentle Preschool Adaptation
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
The old man is snoring.
He went to bed and rested his head,
And slept till a bright new morning.
Gestures – How to Teach It’s Raining, It’s Pouring to Kids
Using actions makes the rhyme more engaging and helps children connect words with movements. Simple gestures also improve coordination and memory.
- Wiggle your fingers downward to clearly show rain falling from the sky.
- Place your hands together near your cheek to act like the old man is sleeping.
- Pretend to lie down when saying “went to bed” to show the sleeping action.
- Gently tap your head to represent the line “bumped his head.”
- Slowly shake your head to show that the old man couldn’t get up.
- Stretch your arms upward at the end to act as if the old man is trying to wake up.
History & Quick Facts
“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” is a traditional English nursery rhyme with roots going back to the 19th century. It was first recorded in collections of folk rhymes and later included in children’s books. Like many classic nursery rhymes, its exact author is unknown. The rhyme became popular because of its catchy rhythm and easy-to-remember lines, making it ideal for oral storytelling and early childhood learning.
Interesting Facts
- The rhyme originated in England and has been part of traditional nursery rhyme collections for many years.
- It is often taught alongside weather-themed songs to help children connect music with everyday experiences.
- The tune is simple and easy for young children to follow, making it ideal for group singing.
- It has been translated into several languages worldwide, showing its global popularity among children.
- The rhyme is commonly used in preschool music sessions to support rhythm and language development.
- Many modern versions soften the ending to make the story gentler and more suitable for younger kids.
Suitable Age & Learnings
This rhyme is best suited for children aged 2 to 6 years and fits well into early learning routines. It supports both fun and foundational development.
- Builds listening skills through short, rhythmic lines that help children focus and follow along easily.
- Introduces basic weather-related vocabulary, such as rain and morning, in a simple and memorable way.
- Encourages memory development through repetition, making it easier for children to recall words and lines.
- Supports early rhyming and sound awareness, which are important foundations for reading readiness.
- Helps children understand simple storytelling by presenting a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Promotes movement and coordination when paired with actions, keeping learning active and engaging.
FAQs
1. What is the rhyming scheme of It’s Raining, It’s Pouring?
The rhyme follows an AABB rhyming scheme, with “pouring/snoring” and “head/morning.”
2. How can parents make this rhyme more engaging at home?
Parents can add hand actions, facial expressions, and sing it during playtime or rainy days.
“It’s Raining, It’s Pouring” remains a favorite nursery rhyme because of its simplicity, rhythm, and timeless charm. It offers children a fun way to explore sounds, stories, and everyday ideas like weather and rest. For parents and teachers, it’s an easy rhyme to include in daily routines without much preparation. Most importantly, it creates joyful moments of learning and connection that children remember fondly.
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