Little Bo-Peep

The lost-sheep rhyme to read, hear, print and trace.

FreeRead aloudPrintableWriting practice

Little Bo-Peep

Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,
And can't tell where to find them.
Leave them alone, and they'll come home,
Wagging their tails behind them.

Press Read aloud to hear the rhyme and follow the highlighted line. Print it, or open Writing practice to trace and copy the words.

What does Little Bo-Peep mean?

A young shepherd girl named Bo-Peep loses her sheep and is told not to worry, because they will find their own way home. It is a gentle rhyme about patience and not fretting.

What Little Bo-Peep teaches

Beyond being fun to sing, this rhyme quietly builds several early skills:

When your child knows it well, our counting game carry the same early skills into playful practice.

Where Little Bo-Peep comes from

Little Bo-Peep was printed in the early 1800s. Long ago, "bo-peep" was also a name for the game of peekaboo.

Fun activities

Frequently asked questions

What are the words to Little Bo-Peep?

Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep, and can't tell where to find them. Leave them alone, and they'll come home, wagging their tails behind them.

Who is Little Bo-Peep?

She is a young shepherd girl in the rhyme who loses her sheep and learns that they will come back home on their own.

What does Little Bo-Peep teach?

It gently teaches patience, showing that sometimes the best thing to do is stay calm and wait rather than worry.