1. The goal is fun! Don’t focus on achievement. Allow for playfulness and enjoyment. If you sing, they will sing, if you sit and listen they will sit and listen. Once you know the song turn off the recording and sing and dance with them.
2. Use songs they can relate to. They do not just need to be based on season but could be about their personal experience, and opportunities to build music skills like rhythm and pitch. I love using the song “this is my book” by Laurie Berkner which encourages kids to open up a pretend book and talk about what is inside of it.
3. Use familiar songs, while incorporating new songs. Children like to hear songs they know and are familiar with. I work with 4 & 5 year olds that request Jingle Bells in July! And yes sometimes we sing it in June, but then maybe we change the words to something that talks about summer, but keep the same melody they love.
4. Provide a lot of time for movement. Getting up and moving gets kids more engaged. I always start with a hello song, followed by movement. I always encourage adults in the room to move as well. Same with singing, if you feel free to move to the songs so will they. Even babies will naturally move along to rhythm.
5. Schedule music time in, make it a part of your regular routine, and don’t rush it. Making music a regular part of your day whether you are at home with your kids or in a daycare or classroom. Giving kids a time for creative expression is a great part of a daily schedule. Everyone knows the “clean up, clean” up song (sorry that’s in your head now) you can also start by incorporating a simple hello song which is great language socialization and communication. Keep it simple! You do not need to spend hours learning new songs, kids still love wheels on the bus, Old McDonald and so on. I encourage everyone
“If I didn’t think music could help save the human race, I wouldn’t sing.” Pete Seeger
Research shows that music has many benefits for kids. This includes executive functioning (our ability to organize new thoughts, ideas and information) social, language and communication abilities, as well as emotional well-being.
In joyful song,
Written by Tyne Heenan MT-MC, MTA, NMT, Music Therapist – Board Certified with Wildflowers