Ready, Set, School!
Back to School Song for Kids · Ages 3–8
Back to all videos · Watch on YouTube
New classrooms can bring big excitement and big feelings. Ready, Set, School! gives preschool and elementary learners a cheerful, repeatable way to practice school routines, welcome new friends, and begin the year believing they can grow.
A positive start to a brand-new school year
Ready, Set, School! is a short back to school song for kids heading into preschool, Pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, or the early elementary years. In just over two minutes, children move from waking up and packing a backpack to greeting a teacher, taking turns, asking questions, and trying again when learning feels tricky. The central message—“New year, big dreams — watch me grow!”—helps frame school as a place for curiosity, kindness, courage, and progress.
Press play during the first days of school, a classroom morning meeting, daycare circle time, or a homeschool opening routine. Children can simply listen the first time. On the next play, invite them to sing the repeated chorus and add easy motions: point forward for “ready,” clap for “set,” and open both arms wide for “school.” No materials or advance teaching are required.
Ready, Set, School! lyrics
Intro
Hey! It’s Mr. J!
New year!
New friends!
New things to do!
Are you ready?
Here we go!
READY! SET! SCHOOL!
Verse 1
Wake up, wake up, start the day
Brush those teeth, we’re on our way
Backpack packed, shoes tied tight
We’re gonna learn and shine so bright!
Say hello, walk through the door
There’s so much we can explore
Take a breath, come on in
A brand-new school year, let’s begin!
ABC and 1-2-3
So many things for us to see
Read a book, count some more
Ask a question, then explore!
If it’s tricky, that’s okay
We can try another way
Make mistakes and try again
That’s how learning starts, my friend!
Chorus
Ready, set, school!
Ready, set, school!
New year, big dreams — watch me grow!
Ready, set, school!
Ready, set, school!
New year, big dreams — here we go!
Verse 2
Meet my teacher, meet my friends
Every day adventure begins
Raise my hand, take my turn
Every single day I learn!
I can listen, I can share
I can show my friends I care
I’ll be brave and I’ll be kind
There’s so much that I can find!
A five-minute classroom activity
Turn one viewing into a simple first-week mini lesson. Before playing, say: “Listen for one thing the song says we can do at school.” Afterward, let children turn and tell a partner what they noticed. Record a few answers—listen, share, raise a hand, ask a question, or try again—on a chart titled “How We Grow at School.” Then replay the chorus and let everyone choose a small growing motion, beginning low and stretching taller at “watch me grow.”
Close with one quick prompt: “What is one brave or kind thing you can try today?” Children may answer aloud, draw their idea, or silently picture it. This keeps the activity accessible for learners who are not ready to speak in a new group. Revisit the chart later in the week and celebrate examples children notice, without turning the song into a test.
Easy ways to use the song at school
- Morning meeting: Play it as students arrive, then greet one new classmate or practice saying the teacher’s name.
- Routine rehearsal: Pause after a relevant line and act out packing a backpack, walking through the door, raising a hand, listening, or taking a turn.
- Growth-mindset reminder: Repeat “If it’s tricky, that’s okay / We can try another way” before a challenging lesson. Invite children to name a second strategy, such as asking for help or slowing down.
- Transition cue: Use the chorus before centers, reading, or dismissal. Keep the same motion sequence so young children know what comes next.
- SEL connection: Ask how bravery, kindness, sharing, and listening can help a new classroom feel welcoming. For more music-based ideas, explore SEL Songs for Kids.
Using Ready, Set, School! at home
Families can play the song while getting dressed, brushing teeth, or packing the night before school. After listening, ask one specific question: “Which part of tomorrow feels exciting?” or “Which part would you like to practice?” If a child feels nervous, act out the arrival routine together: take a breath, pretend to walk through the door, say hello, and choose where the grown-up goodbye happens.
Try a simple backpack check inspired by the lyrics: one school item, one comfort strategy, and one kind action. For example, pack the folder, practice one slow breath, and plan to say hello to someone. Keep the conversation light; a child can enjoy the song without needing to explain every feeling.
More back-to-school help for families and teachers
Build a complete first-week plan with the Back-to-School Songs for Kids classroom playlist. Families preparing a new kindergartner can use the First Day of Kindergarten Tips for Parents, while teachers can open the ready-to-use five-day elementary plan. For younger learners, these preschool back-to-school activities focus on names, visual routines, movement, cleanup, and gentle transitions.
Keep singing, moving, and growing
Pair this video with Feelin’ Good Today for a consistent morning opener. When children need encouragement after a setback, try Don’t Cry, Try Again. For a confidence-building follow-up, sing along with I Am Me. You can also browse the complete video library for more classroom, daycare, homeschool, and family activities.