Baby Songs For the Developing Brain
- Nanci Bradley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Enjoy this ad-free article from Early Childhood Rocks, a nonprofit organization. Any references to outside products are unpaid recommendations.
What if you could use fun and excitement to supercharge your child's learning and help them reach their full potential?
Fun and excitement are feelings that spark learning. Sometimes it's hard to see, but learning isn't boring. It's fun!
But here's something serious. During the first few years of life, we learn self-regulation. If we ignore this skill, we end up with children who can't control themselves by the time they get to kindergarten.
Singing teaches self-regulation. Try yelling at a two-year-old to get them to self-regulate and see what happens. If it works, their behavior may be a reaction to your sternness rather than an acquired skill.
Now Try This...
The Sneezing Song by Jim Gill
I included the video so you could see the children's reactions and learn the tune, but I want to emphasize that it's YOU singing to the children that creates the spark we're talking about. It's just not the same thing when they watch someone else sing on video.
So learn the song, it's simple. And sing it often. It's repetition that makes those little brains light up with connections, so don't be afraid to sing it again and again. Your enthusiasm will be so contagious that it will be worth it!
To grab the attention of very young children, use short, catchy songs, smile, and move!
Short Songs
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Hickory-Dickory Dock (Stand up, Sit down)
Little Teapot
Open Shut Them
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Gentle
Here's a bonus that you can use right away. This song seems to say it all. Teaching it before problems occur is key!
Vintage Songs
Old MacDonald
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Group songs
Johnny Works With One Hammer, Susie Works With Two
A Ram-Sam-Sam
Open, Shut Them
Here are just a few of the benefits of singing with children:
a sense of belonging
a laugh
a pleasant feeling
a release of emotions
practicing a skill
thinking about words
repetition
rhyme
fun!
bonding
Join us for free and get our Baby Brain Toolkit. It includes one strategy that covers everything: problem-solving. We made the toolkit easy to use by breaking it down into 4 fun, simple techniques.
We're sure you're familiar with techniques 1 and 2, but 3 and 4 are a little less well-known. Some may consider them well-kept secrets among teachers, but at Early Childhood Rocks, we like to share!
Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY! (click on the word) She studied early childhood education at Triton College and received her BS in education from NIU in 1986. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She has presented at statewide and nationwide conferences. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.