Children naturally respond to music, and listening and moving to
it is not only fun, but can also provide many benefits for your
child. Children’s songs expand their vocabulary and teach them
about the world around them: numbers, the alphabet, colors, the
body and countless other subjects.
Children naturally respond to music, and listening and moving to it is not only fun, but can also provide many benefits for your child. Children’s songs expand their vocabulary and teach them about the world around them: numbers, the alphabet, colors, the body and countless other subjects. The repetition of words and phrases in songs help them recognize the sounds our language is made of. This skill is one of the indicators of later success in reading. As children move to the music, they build balance and coordination, while reinforcing the language connections they have made by listening to and singing along with the lyrics.
There are many quality children’s albums available today that won’t drive you crazy after hearing them for the twentieth time in one day! Discover music that both you and your child will enjoy. Children’s tastes in music are often much broader than adults, so don’t hesitate to draw from all genres. Hap Palmer, an innovator of using music and movement to develop early childhood skills, suggests choosing songs that encourage active involvement, relate to the interests of your child, and feature repetitive, easy-to-learn phrases.
These musicians are always a hit with kids:
– Laurie Berkner
– Hap Palmer
– Raffi
– Kathy Reid-Naiman
Or you can try one of the albums School Library Journal recently published on its list “12 Kids Albums You Can’t Live Without:”
– Cranberry Sauce Flotilla by Dog on Fleas
– Hey You Kids! by The Jellydots
– Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wide Wild World by Gustafer Yellowgold
– ACTIVATE! by Joel Caithamer
The library not only has numerous CDs to borrow, but also provides access to free streaming music through your computer. Visit our homepage – www.santaclaracountylib.org – click on “Electronic Library 24/7,” and choose “Streaming Music” from the menu on the right-hand side. Two collections that provide a diverse selection of children’s music are Smithsonian Global Sound and American Song.
For more help finding music for you and your child, visit the Information Desk at the library.
