How should we approach the value of excellence? Rewards and awards aren’t part of Montessori education, but that doesn’t stop children from striving for excellence based on their inner needs. It is ideal when children (and adults) strive for excellence based on an internal need or passion.
And those children and adults often find themselves the recipients of awards because of their passions.
It makes sense that excellence is one of the three core Olympic values (excellence, respect, and friendship). So today, I want to share some songs and resources for a variety of ages that reinforce the Olympic value of excellence. (Note: See my Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes and Free Respect Songs and Rhymes for more Olympic values and character education resources.)
An interesting program for teaching excellence uses 8 Keys of Excellence. I love the 8 Keys of Excellence motto: “Making Great Kids Greater.” (Note: Check out the free 8 Kays of Excellence family program.)
You’ll also find 8 Keys of Excellence printables at Teachers Pay Teachers.
Refresher Series: 8 Keys of Excellence Review – SuperCamp (not a song but a good description of the 8 keys of excellence)
8 Keys of Excellence motions | Olive Elementary Welcome Center
Free Excellence Songs – YouTube Videos
“8 Keys of Excellence Theme Song” Performance by “The Kids Blues Band” – the8keysofexcellence
“8 Keys Music Video” – the8keysofexcellence
Verda James 8 Keys of Excellence Intro Video
School Song – Excellence | Martin Weston (“Excellence is our school value for the 2nd half of the summer term. This original song covers some of the aspects of ‘excellence’ in school, including being the best you can be, keeping a positive mindset, and always being kind.”)
School song “Growing Excellence”
This Song Will Remind You To Never, Ever Give Up! (Official Lyric Video NEVER GIVING UP) | Fearless Soul
Short Inspirational Videos about Excellence
“How Great I Am” – Not a song, but it’s an inspirational video about excellence (appropriate for teens).
“Michael Jordan, One of the Best” – another great inspirational video appropriate for teens.
Rocky II – Rocky’s Run (1979)
FSO – Rocky – “Gonna Fly Now” (Bill Conti)
More About the Olympics
How to Help Your Child Get the Most out of the Olympics
All the Posts in the Free Character Education and Mindfulness Video Series Here at My Bits of Positivity Blog
Note: These are in alphabetical order by words in bold.
- Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}
- Free Anti-Bullying Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Bucket-Filling Videos for Character Education
- Free Conservation Songs for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Cooperation Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Courage Songs {Character Education Resources} – Courage is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Curiosity Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Staying Safe and Being Scared {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs about Big Feelings {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs about Family {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Friends and Neighbors {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Growing Up and Being Independent {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About New Experiences {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Playtime {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Daniel Tiger Songs About Taking Care of Your Body {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Determination Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Determination is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Disaster Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Empathy Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Equality and Fairness Songs {Character Education Resources} – Equality is one of the Paralympic values.
- Free Excellence Songs and Resources {Character Education} – Excellence is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Friendship Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Friendship is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Songs and Educational Videos About Managing Frustration {Social Emotional Learning}
- Free Golden Rule Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Gratitude Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Growth Mindset Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Kids
- Free Guided Christian Meditations for Teens and Adults
- Free Guided Frozen and Winter Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Gratitude Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep and Relaxation {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Guided Meditations for Deep Sleep for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Guided Ocean Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}
- Free Happy Songs for Kids {Contentment, Cheerfulness, Joyfulness Resources}
- Free Helping Hand and Helpfulness Songs {Character Education Resources}
- The Best Kids’ Songs for the Holidays {Traditional Holiday Songs + Character Education Songs}
- Free Honesty Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Educational and Song Videos about Honor
- Free Inspirational Kindness Videos for a Variety of Ages
- Free Inspirational Songs {Character Education Resources} – Inspiration is one of the Paralympic values
- Free Integrity Songs and Educational Videos {Character Education Resources}
- Free Kindness Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Leadership Songs {Character Education Resources}
- Free Make a Difference Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Manners Songs for Home or Classroom
- Free Mindfulness Songs for Kids
- Free Multicultural Songs Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion {Character Education Resources}
- Free Songs about Obeying the Rules {Character Education Resources}
- Free Orderliness Songs and Activities {Character Education Resources}
- Free Patience Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Reassuring and Comforting Songs to Help Ease Kids’ Anxiety
- Free Relaxing Music for Studying and Concentration for Kids
- Free Relaxing Ocean Images, Sounds, and Music for Kids and Adults {Mindfulness Resources}
- Free Respect Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources} – Respect is one of the core Olympic values.
- Free Responsibility Songs and Rhymes for Home or School {Character Education Resources}
- Free Self-Control Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}
- Free Taking Turns and Sharing Songs and Rhymes {Character Education Resources}
- Free Thank-You Songs and Rhymes for Home or School
- Free Songs about Virtues {with Character Education Themes and Unit Studies}
- Free Water Safety Songs for Kids
All the Posts in the Free Song and Resource Video Series at my Living Montessori Now Blog
Free Songs about Skills and Concepts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Songs about 100 {Free Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time}
- Free Baby Sign Language Videos {Signs and Songs}
- Favorite Clean Up Song
- Free Clean Up Songs (Tidy Up Songs) and Rhymes
- Free Continent and Ocean Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Counting Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time {Including Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons}
- Free Educational Songs for Circle Time
- Educational Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays Pinterest Board
- Free Songs About Getting a Shot {Kids’ Vaccination Resources}
- Handwashing Activities for Kids – Free Songs and Lessons
- Fun with Handwashing + Handwashing Song by a 2 Year Old
- Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety
- Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Alphabet and Phonics Songs
- Free Sign Language Color Songs for Circle Time
- Free Spanish Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Teddy Bear Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free & Fun Toilet Learning Songs {Potty Songs} for Toddlers
Free Unit Study Songs and Educational Videos – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Amphibian Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Apple Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Arctic vs. Antarctic Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Bird Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Black History Songs and Educational Videos for Kids
- Free Family-Friendly Campfire Songs
- Free Christmas Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Construction Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Continent and Ocean Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Endangered Animal Songs and Educational Videos {Save the Animals}
- Free Evergreen Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fall Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fish Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Flower Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Frog and Toad Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Fruit and Vegetable Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Germ Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Giant Panda and Red Panda Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Gingerbread Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Globe and Map Songs and Educational Videos {Me on the Map Resources}
- Free Insect Sounds, Songs, and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Mammal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Months and Seasons Songs and Educational Videos
- Free New Sibling Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Peace Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Ocean Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Oviparous Animal Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Penguin Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Picnic Songs for Kids
- Free Reptile Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Royal Tea Party Videos {Grace and Courtesy Resources}
- Free Shark Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Snake Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Solar System Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}
- Free Volcano and Earthquake Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
- Women and Girls in Science: Free Songs and Educational Videos
Free Seasonal and Holiday Songs – in order by time of year, starting with back to school in August or early September
- Free Back-to-School Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Labor Day Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Grandparent Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Fall Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Fall Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Halloween Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Thanksgiving Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Winter Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Hanukkah Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Gingerbread Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Christmas Tree Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Christmas Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Kwanzaa Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free New Year’s Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Martin Luther King Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Chinese New Year Songs and Rhymes for Circle Timed
- Free Groundhog Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Valentine’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free President Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Songs and Educational Videos for Mardi Gras/Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday
- Free Pi Songs and Educational Videos for Pi Day
- Free St. Patrick’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Spring Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Easter Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Earth Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Mother’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos
- Free Father’s Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free American Patriotic Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time
- Free Summer Songs and Educational Videos
- Free and Fun Family Road Trip Songs
- Free Family-Friendly Campfire Songs
- Free Picnic Songs for Kids
Free Video Resources Posts – in alphabetical order by words in bold
- Free Montessori at Home Videos
- Free Montessori Cultural Videos
- Free Montessori Language Videos
- Free Montessori Math Videos
- Free Montessori Practical Life Videos
- Free Montessori Sensorial Videos
- Free Montessori Video Lessons Online
I hope you find these helpful!
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