One of the best ways to end a preschool graduation ceremony is with a slide show of the children. They can be posed with their friends, but some of the best shots include those candid shots of them involved in their activities. Set to the right music, you can be guaranteed wet eyes and fond memories. Here are ten of the best songs to achieve such an effect.
1. “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins
This song is from the Disney movie Tarzan. It is originally sung by Tarzan’s adoptive ape mother to Tarzan, assuring him that they will always be together, at least in their hearts. The preschool and kindergarten years are the ones that lay the foundation for the rest of the child’s academic career. No matter how many years go by, the personal connections made and experiences had will always be a part of the child’s heart. The best pictures for this song would be people hugging, people arm-in-arm, or otherwise showing deep affection to each other.
2. “Here I Am”by Bryan Adams
This song is from the Dreamworks movie Spirit. Two different versions appear on the soundtrack. Choose the one that you prefer or use them both. This song celebrates the individual embarking upon a new stage in life. “It’s a new world – It’s a new start/It’s alive with the beating of young hearts”. The best pictures for this song are close-ups of the children’s faces.
3. “With My Own Two Hands” by Jack Johnson, featuring Ben Harper
This song is from the movie Curious George. It emphasizes the potential inside each and every child to create a better world. Children are our future and the keepers of peace. Appropriate pictures for this song would be close-ups of a child’s face, panning down to his or her hands. Include pictures of the children holding up their hands. Show photos of the children being peaceful and helpful to others.
4. “Supposed to Be” by Jack Johnson
This is another classic song from the Curious George soundtrack. The lyric repeated throughout is “Maybe this is how it’s supposed to be”. Show pictures of the children in their most elated states, doing what they love best.
5. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman
This song is from the Toy Story soundtrack. It’s about the memories you’ve made with your friends, that you will cherish forever. Again, feature pictures of the children with their closest friends.
6. “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds
This song was a hit for the country duo and was also turned into a picture book for kids. The chorus says “Love can build a bridge between your heart and mine.” The illustrations in the book show children doing things to help others, parallel to the lyrics of the song. Include photographs of the children doing the same. Use sign language for key words during the chorus.
7. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
This song sends the listener good wishes for a happy and prosperous future. It also hopes that the sense of wonder and amazement that is prevalent in youngsters will not diminish as they get older. It encourages a warm embrace of life and all it has to offer. It is fun to use pictures of children actually dancing, but any shots of a child’s face as she learns something new would be priceless.
8. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
This song celebrates how close relationships form who you are as a person. The best photos for this portion would the children with their parents and their teachers.
9. “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston
The opening lyrics, alone, speak volumes. “I believe the children are our future/Teach them well and let them lead the way/Show them all the beauty they possess inside”. It’s a plea to the adults of today to teach the children of today to love themselves and do whatever they set their minds to. Teach them to believe in themselves and they will go far. Again, show the children with their teachers and participating in some of their most favorite activities.
10. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
This song is another tribute to those who encourage the wonderment of the innocence of childhood. It follows a similar theme to “Because You Loved Me’. Again, include pictures of the child interacting with adults in his life.
Have fun and be sure to provide a lot of tissues!
Links to song lyrics:
1. “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/philcollins/youllbeinmyheart.html
2. “Here I Am” by Bryan Adams http://www.lyrics007.com/Bryan%20Adams%20Lyrics/Here%20I%20Am%20Lyrics.html
3. “With My Own Two Hands” by Jack Johnson, featuring Ben Harper http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackjohnson/withmyowntwohands.html
4. “Supposed to Be” by Jack Johnson http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackjohnson/supposedtobe.html
5. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman http://www.lyrics007.com/Disney%20Lyrics/You’ve%20Got%20A%20Friend%20In%20Me%20Lyrics.html
6. “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds http://www.lyrics007.com/Judds,%20The%20Lyrics/Love%20Can%20Build%20A%20Bridge%20Lyrics.html
7. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack http://www.lyrics007.com/Lee%20Ann%20Womack%20Lyrics/I%20Hope%20You%20Dance%20Lyrics.html
8. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/celinedion/becauseyoulovedme.html
9. “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/whitneyhouston/greatestloveofall.html
10. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/joshgroban/youraisemeup.html
