Sometimes parents feel a bit intimidated about singing to their young child. This wonderful post from music therapist, JoAnn Jordan emphasizes that you don’t have to “be perfect” but can focus on having fun with your child in simple ways that encourage both creativity and learning!
Across the United States many communities will host special events April 22-28, 2012 as part of Week of the Young Child™. The National Association for the Education of Young Children has set this year’s theme as ”Early Years are Learning Years.” Parents and other adults in regular contact with a child are their first teachers. Through caring, supportive relationships with adults providing face-to-face interactions the basic skills for learning are developed.
A 1998 position paper by the International Reading Association and the National Association for the Education of Young Children indicates infants and toddler benefit from:
1. Simple language paired with eye contact along with responses to a child’s vocalizations and physical responses.
2. Frequent opportunities for play and song.
3. Regular exposure to reading and books.
Music is one way you can support this development. Singing familiar songs easily supports simple language. Daria has a great collection of songs you can use. Once you have learned a song, sing without the recording. This allows you to change the speed (tempo), add opportunities for child to start a word or sound, and to change the lyrics.
Play can also be found in songs. Songs like “Ring Around the Rosie”, “Pop Goes the Weasel” and “The Holey Pokey” are just a few examples of game songs. For babies and toddlers there are games like peek-a-boo to which a song can be added. For example, the words to “Where is Thumbkin?” could easily be changed to:
Where is (insert child’s name)?
Where is (insert child’s name)?
There you are. There you are. (Remove the cover as you sing.)
I’m glad I found you. I’m glad I found you.
My dear child. My dear child.
There are many books based upon song lyrics such as “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Fiddle-I-Fee”. In addition, there are many books that can be sung. Lists of these books can be found on many sights including this post on Music Sparks.
Remember, perfection in singing is not required for your child to benefit for music. Rather, it is the face-to-face interaction that is key. Go ahead and add a little music to your speaking, playing and reading with your child. Music in these early learning years is fun.
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JoAnn Jordan is a board certified music therapist with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in working with preschoolers and older adults. Her passion is bringing these two age groups together with music experiences. To learn more about music therapy and to see some of JoAnn’s resources visit her site www.music2spark.com .
