The Wheels on the bus song is popular and is learned from a young age for children. It is usually around ages two to three for most children. This song is often sung on the school bus videos youtube on a field trip or when traveling longer than usual. Singing helps keep children distracted and prevent them from being bored.
Origins
This nursery rhyme actually started as a folk song dated from 1939. According to history, it isn’t known exactly who wrote this song. Verna Hills of Boston is often credited for the song and it appeared in Volume 25 of “American Childhood”. It is a shame how some of the creators of songs we have learned are not always known, but that is how it is.
Why?
The Wheels on the bus song was written at a time when motorized school buses were becoming commonplace so bus rides were becoming longer. With the longer bus rides, children were becoming restless, so singing the song helped them be entertained.
Repetition
The song is very repetitive and some people have wondered why that is. It makes it easy for young children to learn and participate in groups. Hand motions are also easy to learn and they help children associate lyrics with motions.
Where
Where do young children learn this? They usually learn it in a school setting, either daycare or a kindergarten setting. Children also learn songs from friends as well. It is a well-known song, so it would be surprising that a child wouldn’t come into contact with the song while they are young.
Meaning
Every rhyme or kid song has some sort of meaning whether it is obvious or not. This song doesn’t have an obvious one, though. Likely, this song was inspired by the repetitive motions of the bus that are there while kids are riding it. However, there are some people who think it has a secret meaning, many of which are theories which are not proven. The characters don’t have any special significance, other than being very commonplace since many people get on and off buses.
Common
This song is very common and will be taught at some time in your child’s life. Everyone knows it and can teach it very easily to young children. Kids can sing it with friends or in a school class when the bus trip is lengthy. It’s a great song that most children really enjoy, and it also helps get the wiggles out of young children since they have a hard time sitting still. Great tunes make the most dreary day more bearable and every car trip better if kids have something to do, like singing a song.