Song has been an important part of your child's life from the very beginning. Babies love to hear their parents sing to them, whether it is a lullaby or a playful song. If you are the kind of person that sings in the shower or sings or whistles as you go about your daily tasks in the home, your baby will soon learn that singing is something that expresses happiness and brings enjoyment to the singer and the listener.
Children are natural singers. It is usually only after someone criticizes them for singing too loudly or off-key that they will become self-conscious. If singing is treated as normal in the home then your child will usually become a singer, too.
Singing is something that families can do together after a meal. Families can sing together on special occasions like religious celebrations or birthday parties. Nothing could be more natural than singing a lullaby after the bedtime story and goodnight kiss. Even if you consider yourself unmusical you probably know dozens of old familiar songs.
Children love songs with repetitive words and patterns. They like the kinds of songs that they can make actions with their hands to go along with the song. Think of "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands." Another example is "the wheels on the bus go round and round." Another good kind of song for children is where you and your child can add as many verses as you like, as long as you can think of what to add to the list next. An example of this is "Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o." Songs like these are also great for small children who have trouble remembering the words. Parents can have trouble with the words, too!
While we are on the subject of words, let us note that sometimes a great way to sing an old song is with brand new words that you made up yourself. "Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go" can become "over the freeway and through the city." There is no reason not to have as much fun as you can with spontaneous improvisations. This is especially true when you cannot remember the original words.
Songs can also be the backbone of many great games. Every preschool must play "ring around the rosie" at one time or another because it is a great way to get everyone to join hands and stay together while playing in a group. You and your child alone can play "name that tune" by humming a few notes from the beginning of a song or tapping the rhythm.
Singing is an absolutely wonderful, but simple, thing to be doing with your child. It will certainly lead to your child having positive feelings about music and their own singing. They will learn not to regard music as something they can only be a spectator to. Your child may not ever become a professional musician -- nor do they need to aspire to become one -- but they will learn to love and enjoy music.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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