
Dottie's First Snowflakes
A bouncy Christmas counting song for toddlers and preschoolers: Dottie Drizzle's raindrops turn into snowflakes, and we count them from one to ten together.

It's Christmas Eve, and Hob the Night-time Hedgehog is off on his quiet night-time round – checking that Badger, Mouse and Robin are all snug and asleep, and counting five sleepy stars over the village.
Links to the EYFS areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development · Physical Development (self-care) · Mathematics · Communication and Language.
A soft waltz-time lullaby with harp, celesta and felt piano, sung in a warm, gentle Scottish voice. There are no drums and no sudden loud sounds, and the night in Hob’s world is cosy rather than dark or scary.
The bridge gently includes every family: “homes where there’s no stocking, and homes both big and small – the same soft stars are shining, and they’re shining on you all.”
Tip for grown-ups: UK guidance suggests avoiding screens in the hour before bed. Watch Hob's lullaby earlier in the evening, then at bedtime sing or hum it yourselves using the words below – or play just the audio with the screen turned away.
Sing along, or print this page for circle time.
Evening, wee ones. It's Christmas Eve,
and I'm off on my night-time round. Shall we tiptoe together?
The moon is up on Puddleby, the frost is on the gate,
The little ones are tucked in bed – it's getting rather late.
I've brushed my teeth, I've found my hat, my firefly's glowing bright,
So I'll tiptoe through the woodland on this quiet Christmas night.
Hush now, hush now, Christmas Eve is here,
Stockings at the end of beds, and sleepy heads so dear.
Hush now, hush now, close your eyes and rest -
Morning's on its way, my love, and cosy sleep is best.
Badger's in his burrow with his blanket to his nose,
Mouse is in her teacup bed, all curled from head to toes,
The robin's on the holly, all fluffy, round and small,
And I whisper "Happy Christmas" as I tiptoe past them all.
Hush now, hush now, Christmas Eve is here,
Stockings at the end of beds, and sleepy heads so dear.
Hush now, hush now, close your eyes and rest -
Morning's on its way, my love, and cosy sleep is best.
One star for the farmhouse, two stars for the lane,
Three stars for the little bridge, four for the windowpane,
Five stars for the sleepy ones, wherever you may be -
Shining down on every home, from the hills down to the sea.
A mince pie on a plate for Father Christmas, by the door,
A carrot for the reindeer – and a crumb or two for more.
And homes where there's no stocking, and homes both big and small,
The same soft stars are shining, and they're shining on you all.
Hmm-mm, hmm-mm, Christmas Eve is here...
Hush now, hush now, close your eyes and rest -
Morning's on its way, my love, and cosy sleep is best.
Night night, Puddleby Green. Happy Christmas.
Words and music © Puddleby Green. You're welcome to print the lyrics for home, nursery and classroom use.
Draw or cut out pictures for bath, teeth, pyjamas, story and sleep. Put them in order together and stick them by the bed as a little routine chart.
Cut out five paper stars. Count them slowly in a whisper, one star for the farmhouse, two for the lane… and hold each one up as you sing.
Earlier in the evening, tiptoe around the room like Hob on his night-time round. Can you walk so quietly nobody hears you?
Instead of a screen at bedtime, say goodnight to each toy in turn, just like Hob whispers 'Happy Christmas' to Badger, Mouse and Robin.
The final chorus is hummed. Hum it together very softly with the lights low – no video needed.

An A4 colouring page with thick, clear lines for little hands. Print it at home or in the classroom; there's no sign-up and no email needed.
Download PDF (A4)
A bouncy Christmas counting song for toddlers and preschoolers: Dottie Drizzle's raindrops turn into snowflakes, and we count them from one to ten together.

A festive phonics song for preschool and Reception: Penny Periwinkle's shell twirls into the letter J. Listen for the /j/ sound in jumper, jingle and jolly, then play the yes-or-no sound game.