Holiday Learning Songs: Christmas Rhymes That Teach ABCs and Counting

By Janerine Watson, Certified  Early Childhood Education, Health & Social Care, Food & Nutrition. And a mother of three.

 I don’t know about you, but December at my house always feels like someone sprinkled learning opportunities between the ornaments and cookie crumbs. Kids are already humming songs, pointing at decorations, counting cookies… so why not use all that holiday sparkle to sneak in some early learning?

If your child lights up at music (most do), Christmas rhymes are an easy, gentle way to help them learn ABCs, counting, and early language skills—without turning the season into a worksheet marathon.

This isn’t theory for me. These are the same songs and simple activities I’ve used with my own kids, nieces, and a small army of neighbor toddlers who wander through my living room like tiny carolers. They work because children learn best when they’re happy, moving, and soaking in something familiar.

Let’s make the most of that.

❄️ Why Christmas Songs Make Learning Easier (Especially for Littles)

❤️ They recall tunes better than words that are spoken.

For weeks, my daughter couldn't remember the letter "M."

 But after hearing it again in a holiday song, she remembered that "M is for mitten!"

Music sticks in ways flashcards simply can’t.

🎧 Kids learn best when more than one sense is engaged

A child hearing the word “snowflake” while watching one fall (or pretending with paper ones) makes that word “real.”

 Combine that with counting? That’s learning gold.

🎄 Christmas songs come with built-in excitement

Kids don’t need convincing to listen to holiday music—it’s already magic to them.

 You’re just riding the seasonal wave.

🔁 Repetition builds confidence

Most Christmas songs follow the same patterns.

 Kids learn the next letter or number almost by instinct.

🎅 Holiday Rhymes That Teach the ABCs

1. “A Is for Angel, B Is for Bell…”

This simple rhyme uses holiday objects to teach letters.

 It’s the one my niece sings while decorating the tree.

Try This at Home:

 Hand your child a few ornaments and ask,

 “Which one starts with B? Bell or candle?”

 They love being “letter detectives.”

2. “The Christmas Alphabet Song”

Playful, easy to remember, and great for kids still learning to match letters with sounds.

Parent Tip:

 Write a few letters on sticky notes and let your child slap the right one onto a Christmas bag or gift box as the song goes on.

 They burn off energy and learn. Win–win.

3. Create Your Own: “Santa’s Alphabet Parade”

You don’t need to be a songwriter—just play with simple patterns:

“J is for jingle bells dancing on the tree,

 K is for kindness we share with family…”

Why homemade works:

 Kids LOVE anything “made just for them.”

 They’ll repeat it endlessly (and that’s what builds learning).

🔢 Christmas Counting Songs That Really Work

1. “Five Little Christmas Trees”

A cute countdown rhyme that teaches subtraction without calling it that.

At Home:

Cut five small trees out of green paper.

 My children used to “chop” them down with a toy spoon each verse.

Just the giggles are worth it.

2. “Ten Little Snowflakes”

A soft counting song that is good for calming down after a busy holiday.

Try This:

 Use cotton balls as pretend snow..

 Each time your child counts one, let them blow it off their hand.

 It turns counting practice into a calming game.

3. Make Your Own: “Santa’s Counting Sleigh Ride”

Everyone in my house loved this one.

 It goes something like:

“1 bright present ready for the sleigh,

 2 silly elves waving all the way…”

Keep it simple, silly, and full of holiday energy.

🧠 Things Kids Learn Without Even Knowing It

Kids learn with these songs:

• Recognizing letters

• Counting and putting numbers in order

• Words and phonics

• Memory and rhythm

• Listening skills

• Emotional understanding (a lot of songs teach kindness, giving, and patience)

• You can even improve your fine motor skills by adding little objects or movements.

It’s learning disguised as fun.

🏡 Easy Ways to Build Learning Into Your Holiday Routine

🎧Sing during simple occasions

While baking cookies…

 While getting dressed…

 While driving around looking at lights.

Kids absorb more during everyday moments than you’d think.

🧸 Add props

Bells, cotton balls, paper snowflakes, and ornaments

 Anything they can grip, move, or count will help them learn more.

🕯 Ask little questions

“What sound does S make?”

 “How many ornaments are on the tree?”

 “Can you find the letter B?”

These tiny questions spark big growth.

🔁 Repeat over several days

When kids are enthused about the holidays, they naturally stick to their habits.

❄️ A Cozy Little Conclusion

Holiday songs do more than fill your home with cheer—they create space for learning, bonding, and memory-making. Whether your child is practicing the alphabet or counting reindeer on Santa’s sleigh, these rhymes turn learning into something warm and familiar.

And honestly, that’s what early education should feel like—natural, joyful, and part of the everyday magic of being a kid.

If your child has a favorite Christmas song, share it in the comments.

 You might inspire another parent who’s looking for that perfect holiday learning moment.