Tap AAC

Song choice board: free printable with music class visuals

Songs are one of the easiest places to start making choices: point to a picture, and the song begins. This free song choice board has 12 songs, from Twinkle, Twinkle and Wheels on the Bus to Old MacDonald and Happy Birthday, and the words for changing a song while it happens: again, louder, faster, stop. Page 2 is a music time board with 12 instruments, and page 3 shows a music class from the hello song to the goodbye song.

Download the free PDF US Letter, 3 pages, 1,997 KB

Portrait (tall page, 3 pages): US Letter PDF (1,997 KB) · A4 PDF (1,998 KB)

Landscape (wide page, 3 pages): US Letter PDF (1,998 KB) · A4 PDF (1,999 KB)

Printable song choice board: 12 songs with a picture each: Twinkle, Twinkle, Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald, Row Your Boat, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You’re Happy, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Happy Birthday, ABC Song, Five Little Monkeys, Baa, Baa, Black Sheep and Five Little Ducks. During the song: again, more, stop, all done, louder, quieter, faster, slower, my turn, your turn, dance and clap.
Page 1: twelve songs, and words for during the song.

Edit this board in the free board maker: change the words and pictures, then print.

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Why start with songs

A song is a quick, clear answer to a point: the child picks, and the singing starts. Songs repeat, so a child can ask for the same one again and again, and every time is practice. A song choice board suits toddlers and preschoolers, children just starting with pictures, and older children and adults who love music. It’s as useful in a music class or a therapy session as in the car or at bath time.

Choosing a song, step by step

  1. Start with two or three songs the child already knows. Cover the rest with paper, or fold the page.
  2. Point and sing: “Let’s sing… Row Your Boat,” pointing to the boat, then start singing.
  3. Next time, pause before the song and wait. A look, a reach or a point at a song is a choice: sing that one.
  4. Stop partway through a song the child loves, and wait. Point to again or more yourself, then carry on.
  5. Add songs as the first ones become easy, until all 12 are in play.

Pausing and waiting like this gives the child a reason to talk; more ideas in set up chances to communicate.

During the song: again, louder, stop

The bottom of page 1 changes a song while it’s happening: louder and quieter, faster and slower, my turn to do the actions, dance or clap, and stop or all done. Sing Wheels on the Bus very slowly, and wait for faster. Silly changes make the words worth asking for. When the child says stop, stop, even in the middle of a line: that’s how they learn the word works.

Music time board. Instruments: drum, guitar, piano, keyboard, xylophone, tambourine, violin, triangle, cymbals, bells, shaker and a song. Do: sing, play, dance, clap, stomp and listen. Talk: my turn, your turn, I like it, I don’t like it, again, all done, help, wait, too loud, headphones, wow! and I did it!
Page 2: instruments, what to do, and words for music time.

In a music class

Page 3 shows a music class in order, from the hello song to the goodbye song, so a student knows when the instruments come out and when they go away. Page 2 has 12 instruments to choose from and the words for joining in. A music room can be loud: the row at the bottom of page 3 lets a student ask for headphones or a break, or choose just listen for a while, which is still taking part. A music teacher can keep a copy at the front, next to the instrument box.

Music class: eight numbered steps: hello song, sit in the circle, warm up my voice, sing a song, play the instruments, move to the music, put the instruments away and goodbye song. When the music is too loud: headphones, cover my ears, a break, a quiet spot, just listen and deep breaths.
Page 3: the steps of a music class, and what helps when it’s too loud.

Your own songs

The 12 songs are well-known children’s songs, but the best songs for this board are the ones your family sings. Open the board in the free board maker and swap in songs from home, school, a place of worship or the radio, with a photo the child knows on each. Older children and adults deserve songs for their age: a board of pop songs or old favorites works the same way.

What it can look like

Ruby is three. Her mom started with three songs, the bus, the spider and the stars, and sang a line of each while pointing to it. On the second day Ruby slapped the spider. Her mom sang it, stopped before the end, and pointed to again. A week later Ruby points to again herself, then faster, and laughs as the spider climbs the spout at top speed.

Every word on the sheets

Songs

During the song

Instruments

Do

Talk

Music class

When the music is too loud

Printing tips

More free boards

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Need a different board? Make your own with the free AAC board maker.

More boards on this topic: toy and play communication boards.

These boards and guides are general information, not therapy or medical advice, and they don’t replace a speech therapist. A speech therapist who knows the person can help choose the right words, pictures and layout. The boards are free to print and share; please don’t sell them (terms of use). Questions about the boards? Email support@lmnoplabs.fun.