🛑 Racism
Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed – and all its derivatives – appears on our list of Problematic Songs because of its racist history.
The tune is also problematic, as it derives from a racist song – “Shortnin’ Bread.”
You can learn more about its history from these sources:
- 12 Childhood Nursery Rhymes You Didn’t Realize Were Racist
- The Racist Roots Of The “Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed” Chant
- 5 Children’s Songs With Racist Histories
- Uncle Devin (Devin Walker) on why he wrote “Count Our Numbers” as a replacement for “Five Little Monkeys”
- Derives from “Shortnin’ Bread”
đź’š Suggested replacement songs:
- Five Ants Marching Up a Tree (counts down from five)
- Five Little Pieces of Bubble Gum (counts down from five)
- Five Little Ducks (counts down from five)
- Five Green and Speckled Frogs (counts down from five)
- Count Our Numbers by Uncle Devon (goes up to 5 and back down)
- ¡Salta, Salta! — 123 Andrés (jumping)
Are there any alternative storytime activities that can promote solidarity and engagement among children, while still being as fun and interactive as the classic “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” story?”