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Month: July 2021

15 Benefits of Music on Kids’ Health

1 Comment / Parenting Ideas / By / September 21, 2021 /

benefits of music on kids health

Music has been a part of human life for centuries. It is what we listen to while we work, relax and exercise. But did you know that the right type of music can also be good for kids? Ironically you don’t need a fancy music education degree, or have any formal music training. The power of music can make a huge impact on the health of your kids! In this blog post, we are going to explore 15 benefits of music on kids’ health.

15 Benefits of Music for Kids Health:

Creative Thinking

The first benefit of music is that it encourages creative thinking. Music is a creative form of self-expression. Parents who incorporate music into children’s lives give kids a creative outlet to express themselves emotionally and creatively. You can listen to music or encourage some musical instruction. The kind of music instruction can vary. Whether parents provide music classes, singing lessons, instrumental music training, or just sing and play with young children at home, music makes self-expression more accessible. For parents who need a little guidance on ideas how to sing and play with a young child, check out my free toddler music class here!

healthy kids
benefits of music on kids health

Relieving Stress and Anxiety

The benefits also include relieving stress and anxiety. This is dependent upon the type of music you listen to. I have found that listening to soothing music calms the mind. Listening to relaxing music before bedtime, playing or singing your child’s favorite songs helps their brain focus on happy and calm thoughts. Music also has physical health benefits… reducing heart rates during stressful moments. Music has been proven time and time again to be beneficial in these situations.

Music therapists often have patients listen to music. But, music therapy is not just listening to music. Music therapists use music to encourage people to have a better mood and outlook on life. Music therapy can be done by listening, creating or singing. It might also include dancing to the music.

Brain Development

Music is also beneficial in a child’s brain development. A study published shows that music instruction improves verbal memory. In addition, research shows that music will also increase the ability to memorize information, and speeds up problem-solving skills by as much as 20%.  Early music learning can really improve later academic performance. Music education doesn’t just have to be taking classes from various music programs, but parents intentionally bringing music to life in the home by singing and playing music instruments will affect their child. Young children listening to music can enjoy their favorite music in their everyday life and it helps them in so many ways!

Language Development

Music enhances language development in children and benefits the brain. This is most apparent in the young child. For instance, it is beneficial to speak with children about music during play time in order to promote cognitive development on a variety of levels. Music can be used in games such as identifying letters, shapes, colors or numbers by using musical references. For example, one can sing the alphabet song as a way to help their child recognize or identify letters. This is a great way for parents and caregivers to combine language and music through play time.

Improved Brain Plasticity and Spatial Intelligence

Music improves brain plasticity and spatial intelligence. That is key to their learning abilities!   Music helps children learn because of the way it stimulates brain development. It also activates parts of the brain that are related to memory, language and abstract thought as well as social behaviors such as empathy and emotional response.

Spatial intelligence involves the ability to think about objects in relation to one another and understand spatial relationships. It is also important for understanding math concepts such as geometry and algebra. One study found that music instruction at a young age can improve performance on tests of spatial intelligence later in life. The subjects who had received music lessons scored higher than those who had not.

Increased Concentration

Listening to classical or relaxing music increases concentration and eliminates other distractions in children. Increased concentration will ultimately result in greater academic achievement.

Calming Effect

Children who have been diagnosed with autism benefit from listening to classical music because it calms their nervous system and helps regulate emotions while improving cognitive function. Music therapy often incorporates classical music into treatment because listening to music is so effective.

ADHD Response

Music benefits children with ADHD and other mental disabilities by helping them with paying attention, regulating moods, and providing music therapy for various conditions. Affecting the development of neurotransmitters, music can help regulate a child’s mood by igniting dopamine production, which regulates pleasure and excitement. This is a noteworthy factor in language learning because it increases attentiveness.

Physical Health

Listening to music benefits kids’ health because it encourages physical activity that improves strength, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and coordination. Studies have shown that kids who move to music are healthier, happier and more confident than those who don’t.

Learning a Musical Instrument

Hand eye coordination, reading skills, math skills and social interaction are a few of the multitude of benefits in learning to play a musical instrumen. Learning a musical instrument requires focus, coordination and practice. It teaches responsibility as well as how to be organized and on time for lessons. Through the process of learning to play an instrument your child will build hand-eye coordination, improve their spelling skills through reading music notes and become better problem solvers. It will also help your child develop patience and perseverance, which are useful skills in life that will help them obtain many things they want. The sense of accomplishment when a child masters a new song is palpable and very rewarding for them as well as the parents or caregivers who see their hard work pay off with progress.

Music Education Effects on Social Skills

Additionally, arts education and music lessons allow older children to participate in group music making. Learning to play an instrument or sing with friends in various music programs provides social skills. Kids involved in band, orchestra or a singing group expand their social circle. They make new friends through their music teacher, practice sessions and performances. A result of being in choir or band with other children, they develop stronger bonds with people around them. Because of this, they have reduced depression from isolation.

Musical training often involves working with a teacher and that connection with an instructor in a music program can yield lifelong relationships. Learning to play music helps build self-esteem for your child which is great for developing healthy social skills and coping mechanisms.

Developing Discipline

Music training also increases discipline. It takes discipline to practice a musical instrument every day. Weekly music lessons provide the framework for instruction, but progress is only realized with consistent practice.

Creates Empathy for Others

Music learning supports learning about different cultures. Listening to the music of other cultures provides awareness and empathy for others. This will enhance the mind, body and soul. The sooner young minds are exposed to music from other cultures the more appreciative and empathetic they will be toward others. Children who listen to and learn about other cultures’ customs and traditions will be more tolerant of others’ beliefs. 

benefits of music playing violin
benefits of music playing the piano

Elevates Self-Esteem

Musical training that involves taking music lessons, receives all the benefits of music! And musically trained children also develop higher self-esteem and confidence through performing or singing in front of an audience. Performance exposure can bring greater confidence because it gives children the chance to act out their emotions while interacting with many different people. The performance stage gives a child a sense of comfort – which is then translated to other areas of life.

Provides Bonding Experience

Enjoying listening to music together provides a bonding experience for parents and children that is important throughout life. Whether you are playing music, singing, are just listening to music, music brings joy to life and gives families a way to express love.

Bonus Benefit for Parents!

Music also contributes to reduced stress for the adults in children’s lives. Teachers or parents who play calming music while working with children are more patient and kind.

Conclusion 

As you can see, music improves the lives of children AND adults in so many ways. On the surface, it may not seem like music can actually result in good health for kids, but I have seen first hand there are many, many benefits of music for kids’ health. So I hope that you will take the time to play some favorite tunes, and whether or not you have any formal training, make music in your own family.

For parents of babies and toddlers who need a little help I have written a blog post that tells why I created an online music class for toddlers. You may find it helpful, and I encourage you to sign up for my free music class. You’ll get lots of great ideas on how you can work with your child at home with your favorite songs!

For parents of preschoolers, check out the materials (here’s one) I am creating to help you prepare your child for piano lessons. There are lots of games and activities you can play at home that will help your child succeed when they are ready for formal piano lessons.

Playtime for Toddlers

1 Comment / Parenting Ideas, Toddler / By / September 10, 2021

How Can I Make Playtime Better for My Toddler?

Music is an important part of playtime for toddlers. It stimulates their imagination and creativity, builds vocabulary in a natural way, and has been shown to improve brain power.

The saying goes, music makes everything in the world better. Toddlers are no exception to this rule. Playtime is important for them to learn and develop their basic motor skills, speech, and language. Music during playtime helps your toddler develop these skills; it also builds their imagination and creativity when they use props (household items or toys), or ability to pretend when they take their cues from the music.

Research has shown that all children, including toddlers, have a natural drive to explore their surroundings and interact with others – this is called intrinsic motivation. Through play, toddlers develop imagination and creativity in addition to physical skills such as balance, coordination and problem solving.

Ways to Use Music During Playtime for Toddlers

There are many ways to include music in your toddler’s playtime. Music can be a central theme, where you sing songs and use props with your child. It can also be a background to other types of play such as blocks, legos, cars and trucks; however this method is best for older toddlers who have an understanding of the correlation between music and character. Here are some ideas to include music in your toddler’s playtime that is fun and stimulating!

1) Sing fun songs

Songs with actions and simple words are a good place to start. The most important part of singing is participation. Singing without any action isn’t as much fun for young children who can’t talk yet.  

“Head, shoulders, knees, toes” or “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” or “Patty cake, Patty cake” can be good places to start.

This may be one of the easiest ways to include music in toddler play; however it is also one of the most effective. Songs are a great way for children to learn rhythm and rhyme, which is an important part of language development. Older children also develop language skills and benefit from singing childhood songs.

2)   Incorporate music toys into playtime

playtime for toddlers

There are many toys your child can use to make music. Think about the types of sound effects that each toy makes and incorporate those sounds into songs.  Providing a sensory bin during toddler play will provide opportunities for little ones to explore new textures and sounds.

For example you may place a few toys, a small kitchen pan, plastic dishes, wooden spoons or other household objects that are safe for young children in a basket for babies and toddlers to explore. This unstructured playtime allows children to explore and not necessarily use the toy or object “correctly”.

Explore the world with them! Encourage your toddler to play and nurture their interest in the world around them. This will help develop their curiosity, and engage them in learning how and why things fit together. It will also help them develop problem-solving skills.

Parents can help with pretend play. For example, if you sing “The wheels on the bus go round and round” while pushing a car or truck toy as the child pushes along with you, you help your toddler’s development in correlating the text of the song to the activity. This demonstrates pretend play for your child which they will later copy.

3)  Play percussion instruments with your toddler

Another great way to incorporate music is to play instruments with your child. Parents playing an instrument during playtime helps kids copy what their parents are doing. They can then develop physical skills such as keeping a steady beat or learning short or long rhythms. Learning to feel a steady beat is so so important and I talk more about it in this blog post.

One way I love to play percussion instruments with children is to play an instrument along with my favorite song. I am not a huge fan of tons of screen time for young children, but I do think having access to great quality music important. Having several playlists on a device ready at a moment’s notice is ideal for parents. You have the music you need the moment you need it. Children older than toddlers may have a device especially for educational content and music playlists. I have several playlists for toddler playtime and other activities than just playtime. You can check them out here:

15 Songs That Get Your Toddler Moving

Rainy Day Music and Movement Songs

10 Songs That Get My Kids Cleaning

4) Turn on some nursery rhymes

playtime with toddlers song

Parents can start with music they are familiar with such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” “This Little Piggy Went to Market,” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.”

Toddlers love repetition! So singing songs that are familiar over and over are great for them. They will get familiar with the tune and want to sing along even if they don’t know all the words.

One tip is to have one favorite recording of each nursery rhyme. If you have these songs in a playlist, you can turn these on as you watch your child play. I love watching their facial expressions as they learn to sing these rhymes and I can tell right away which ones are their favorite.

5) Play an instrument together

Stringed instruments such as a ukulele can be fun because toddlers enjoy using their hands to “strum”. The rhythm of this instrument can also be fun to dance along to.

Every child who has come to one of my early childhood music classes is interested in getting their hands on a ukulele. I use one to accompany myself as we sing together, but I also have several toy ukuleles. They do not sound as good as a real soprano ukulele, but kids love playing them. This play helps them desire to play a real musical instrument when they get older.

Parents often ask me about getting a ukulele for their child (and also one that they can learn to play) and I usually recommend this one for preschoolers.

Remember when I mentioned that kids explore instruments and often do not “play them” as they are intended to play? Well, playing an instrument together is a wonderful way for you demonstrate the correct way to play a instrument. Kids will eventually copy your modelling.

There are plenty of other musical instruments you can use to play together. Bongos, drums, bells, maracas, etc. would fit this category too.  Having a variety of musical instruments available during toddler playtime is beneficial.

6) Play a simple instrument yourself

Play a simple instrument yourself while the child watches. A kazoo or maracas are simple instruments that toddlers can learn to play. They will be excited and proud of themselves for “making music”. It’s a good chance to work on taking turns since the child will want to make music too!

If you don’t feel you are musical and feel you are not qualified to play an instrument, just start simple. Sing a song. Shake a maraca as you sing, or ring some bells. Even playing peekaboo with a receiving blanket as you sing a simple song is fun for kids and sets the example for young children.

For more ideas on how you can work with kids ages 0-5 years old, watch my free toddler music class. It will demonstrate how you can interact with your child and use your favorite music in playtime for toddlers!

7) Use music as a setting for unstructured play

playtime for toddlers music

Music doesn’t have to be the focus of playtime as long as it is playing in the background. It can help create a peaceful and lively atmosphere for toddlers which makes them feel more relaxed.  

During free play, music that isn’t too loud or distracting will allow children to use their imaginations.  You can even use music during outdoor play.

By incorporating music into the background of physical activities such as playing with building blocks or toy cars, children learn to be able to create a story line for themselves!

Do I Need a Lot of Musical Toys?

A simple set of musical toys is enough to get started when you want to focus on improving your playtime for toddlers.

If the toy makes a noise or plays music, it’s likely to be fun for your toddler. Set these items in the play area and see what types of games they want to make up!

Music playtime for toddlers can also include stuffed animals for kids to bounce in their lap. This fun activity will help them learn to feel a steady beat, and also inspire their imagination. In today’s world, there is so much stimulation so it is wonderful when toddlers learn that they can they can enjoy music with their favorite stuffed friend without creating loud noises.

If you are worried about having too many toys or creating an overwhelming environment, try removing the majority of toys and keeping only a few out at a time. This will make it easier to clean up at the end of playtime instead of being overwhelmed by excess things.

Incorporating music during playtime is an easy way to improve your relationship with your toddler. It’s good for them too! It will create a positive, joyful environment that everyone can enjoy.

How much playtime does my toddler need?

Use your toddler’s interests and abilities to design playtime. As your toddler grows, she may need less structured play time. By encouraging her interests and abilities, you can adapt playtime for best results. You will see below ways that you can incorporate playtime and toddler activities into your everyday life.

fun playtime for toddlers

Talk to your child

Ask about their activities during the day, such as eating a favourite food or playing with friends. Listen carefully so that you can respond to their interests. Use your child’s interests as a springboard for the types of music and songs you select. Even babies, kids age one, and two year olds show preference to the things they like. In fact you can even begin to share music with your child before birth, and then modify your music selections later to their preference.

Change the way you think about playtime

Use the knowledge of your child to plan activities that will capture their enthusiasm, encourage language skills, and provide creative as well as physical activity. For example, if they’re interested in vehicles, imagining a car wash or a traffic jam. This pretend play involving cars and trucks provides a story line for for them to act out.

If your child is interested in playing house, then encourage play by having them set up a picnic at the same time as you are making a lunch. Or let them play with a sponge, water, and soap bubbles in the kitchen sink when you are cleaning.

Finding music that captures their imagination will help support them in unstructured toddler play.

Plan variety

A wide range of experiences promotes development and creativity in addition to encouraging language skills and social interaction. Use your knowledge of what interests your child to build on what they already know while encouraging new activities.   To encourage these skills, focus on providing your child with rich experiences.

Make playtime active

Include activities from your child’s daily routine, such as feeding the dog or setting the table for a meal. These will help develop better communication and social skills with you and others. During playtime, encourage physical activity by encouraging outdoor and creative activities. Explore how to use everyday objects to move around and have fun.

Vary the space

Playing in different rooms of the house builds a toddler’s spatial awareness. It also helps children understand that objects still exist even when they are out of sight. This is the same for toddlers playing in various indoor and outdoor locations.

Changing rooms (such as outside), bedrooms and kitchens is like providing language activities via real life stimuli. Find out what interests your toddler most about different places, such as water in the bathtub, books in the corner of the living room, a laundry basket from the laundry room, or the sandbox outside. Their favorite places are wonderful environments to add music to inspire higher level creative play. By the way, kids often enjoy playing with their outdoor toys inside too!

Use materials you have on hand

Encourage your toddler to play with everyday objects such as pots, pans, food containers, or big empty boxes. Have you ever noticed that kids will play with a box all day and leave all the best toys untouched. Playing with everyday objects can increase physical activity as well as language ability. I would recommend placing several household items and some stuffed animals in the sensory bin (mentioned earlier) that you create for your child.

Involve your child in household tasks

Accompany simple activities like setting the table for dinner with language and songs about the meal, encouraging imitation. For example, if you sing a song like “Apples and Bananas” then you can be silly and change the lyrics to the foods you are serving. This makes the chore of setting the table super fun!

When parents present chores as “play” and incorporate music to heighten the experience, kids develop a natural love for helpful behavior. I think this is a long-term “win-win.”

Playtime for Toddlers

How can I make playtime better for my toddler? This is an important time to teach your child valuable skills through play. If you provide them with the right toys and allow them to let their imagination run wild, you can create a stimulating world of learning that all children deserve!

I hope you find a few helpful tips in this article. Let me know in a comment what ideas have helped you or inspire you to make some simple changes in your parenting!

And if you’d like to be guided through a music class for toddlers that I have created go ahead and click the link below! Watching my music class will help you with ideas on how you can have fun and incorporate music into your toddler’s playtime.

10 Songs That Get My Kids Cleaning

Joyful Atmosphere, Parenting Ideas, Songs, Toddler / By / September 1, 2021

Why Play Music While You are Cleaning?

songs that get my kids cleaning

Today I want to share 10 songs that get my kids cleaning with me! Why play music while you are cleaning? Kids love music! And who doesn’t love a little bit of peace and quiet? Using music to clean up is one of my favorite strategies for getting the house in order without fighting with the kids. I simply ask that they help me pick up as we go along, so by the end we’re all done!

These songs are available on Amazon, so I’ve included some links to them to make things easier for you. But I also included Youtube links so you can build a free playlist from Youtube.

10 songs that get my kids cleaning with me

Besides this list of songs that get my kids cleaning, I also have another blog post that encourage movement. And a blog post that has songs perfect for getting the wiggles out on a rainy day! These songs would also work as cleaning songs!

List of 10 Cleaning Songs That Energize Parents and Kids!

This isn’t just your normal songs featuring kids singing for kids. These are songs even parents can groove to – some oldies, bluegrass, caribbean, italian, and more! I love creating some diversity for parents and kids that allows them to explore songs from other cultures! I hope these songs energize you! They will definitely make time to clean more fun. Now let’s clean up everybody!

1)       “ABC” by Jackson 5 * (Amazon) (Youtube)

ABC as easy as 1-2-3! Michael Jackson is such an energizer and kids will love to repeat ABC and 1-2-3 with this song! I guess it is kind of an oldie these days but an iconic Michael Jackson song. This is a lively and fun clean up song!

2)            “The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens (Amazon) (YouTube)

How many remakes of this song have been recorded over the years? Kids today will recognize this song from The Lion King, but it is so fun to actually get to hear the original! Once I start listening to this song I’m humming it all day long. It’s definitely one of my favorite clean up songs.

3)            “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin (Amazon) (Youtube)

A song to whistle along to. Kind of like Snow White’s philosophy on cleaning… whistle while you work! The philosophy of don’t worry, be happy can be applied to so many of life’s situations. So lets just whistle a little tidy up song!

4)    “A Whistle in the Desert” by Raffi Wartanian (Amazon) (Youtube)

This is an upbeat guitar instrumental song with percussion. There is a dance-like quality to this song with a mixed meter feel. This is an interesting addition in this list of songs for kids and you can make a game of the different sections of this song!

5)   “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” (Amazon) (I really like this version on YouTube)

Bluegrass finger-picking banjo is fast, fast, fast! This will help get any clean up done with lightening speed! You can hear different instruments play besides the banjo so that is fun. Because it is a video song you can even see the instruments! Use the birds singing at the beginning as you “get ready” and then “GO!” when the music starts! Everyone will know it’s time to clean when this song plays.

6)            “Dueling Banjos” (Amazon) (I love this version on YouTube)

This is actually a duel between guitar and banjo. It of course speeds up and really takes off. Great for getting some serious cleaning done. If you listen to this cleaning song carefully you will hear the guitar lead the melody and the banjo echo! It’s lie they are having a conversation!

7)            “Coconut Shuffle” (Amazon) (Youtube)

Caribbean Steel Drum Band really lightens the mood! Caribbean music always makes me smile! Enjoy a little pineapple or orange juice when the job is done! Great “theme” song for kids!

8)            “Una Giraffa di Stoffa” (Amazon) (Youtube)

This Italian song is about a stuffed giraffe. Enjoy this dance-like song as you hear beautiful Italian lyrics. I love listening to the rolled r’s that English doesn’t have. Challenge each other to roll some r’s when the job is done! This challenge may end up with fits of laughter.

9)           “Celebration” (Kool and the Gang) (Amazon) (Kids version on Youtube)

This is a well-known song most adults know! But the YouTube video features kids from around the world. It’s fun to watch this video and see the kids play instruments and sing and then use it in your cleaning playlist! Fun song for kids and I especially love the video!

10)            “Best Day of My Life” by Kidz Bop Kids (Amazon) (Youtube)

What a great positive affirmation! I love positive energy when it comes to cleaning time. Your kids will be “ooh”-ing along with this one! What out. They may not want to stop cleaning.

BONUS: “Happy” Kidz Bop Kids version (Amazon) (Youtube)

This amazing and uplifting clapping song is sure to change the mood!

Which Cleaning Songs are Your Favorite?

You won’t find better music for cleaning up, and best of all you can create a playlist off YouTube for free! Or you can get some songs from Amazon and build out your playlist on your phone or device for a few bucks which has really helped me out!

I hope you enjoy my songs for picking up toys, and best of all I hope they help make your cleaning go a little more smoothly! Be sure to share this page with anyone else who has kids and may need a few ideas for super fun music. Let me know which of these songs is your kids’ favorite.

Leave me a comment below!

*Affiliate links may be included so if you make a purchase, I may receive credit as an Amazon affiliate at no additional cost to you.

Get your FREE Music Mini-Class

Your toddler or preschooler will love this Music Mini-Class.  Join me and Beethoven, an adorable pancake loving sheepdog as we sing, dance and play together!

online toddlers music class

How to Encourage Children to Feel a Steady Beat

Parenting Ideas, Teaching / By / July 4, 2021

What is a steady beat?

A steady beat is a steady rhythm. A steady rhythm is the same pattern repeated every beat of music. We can feel it in our bodies when we hear songs playing. Children can feel steady beats through everyday activities and here are some ways parents can encourage children to feel a steady beat.

You can check out my blog post about short and long rhythms here.

Where can you find a steady beat?

Clocks ticking, steady heartbeat, steady footsteps, steady slaps on a hand drum, steady tapping of fingers on a table all provide a steady beat.

Let’s talk about a heart beat. It might be steady if you are resting, but will speed up when you are running or in a state of panic. A heartbeat is steady because it has the same pattern every time it beats.

This steady beat is in our bodies whenever we move. Children will often play with toys or bang things to make their own steady beat. It is important for children to learn about steady beats because it helps them become more aware of rhythm and music. It also helps develop motor coordination skills, which is an important developmental milestone for young children.

Children enjoy rattle toys, especially the ones that make noise when you shake them. They will often spend time shaking and banging these around on the floor to create their own steady beats. Another way children can feel steady beats is through pat-a-cake games or clapping along with music they hear playing in the car or at home.

Can parents encourage children to feel a steady beat?

Of course! Parents can encourage children to feel a steady beat in their body by doing any of these activities together. While doing them with a child, listen for the steady pulse within and then join in to create an even stronger steady beat.

Sing!

Singing is the easiest way parents can encourage children to feel a steady beat. You can sing at home, sing in the car, sing songs with movements and clapping. There are many ways and times parents can use singing to help kids feel a steady beat.

For example, parents can use steady beats when changing their baby’s diaper. In order to clean a baby properly, you must swaddle them and then remove the cloth wiping down the area of the body. You will hear steady steady steady… as you do this with your child. While changing a diaper, parents should try singing a song like the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ and see if they can get their child to sing along. Singing steady steady steady while changing a diaper is the steady beat that children will want to copy!

This is one of many instances where parents can sing. Some other times parents can sing with children are when children wake up, get dressed, brush teeth or hair, wash hands, clean up, drive in he car, put on pajamas, etc.

Read!

Reading books with steady beats can be a great way for parents to encourage children to develop an awareness of steady beats in music. There are many children’s storybooks that focus on the steady beat by using words such as tick-tock, slap-slap or splash-splash. One book in particular that has great rhythm is Pajama Time by Sandra Boynton, which uses a steady BEAT when reading it aloud. Here is a link for a youtube reading where you can hear the reading… steady steady steady steady steady steady.

I created this video for parents to help them learn how to encourage children to feel a steady beat.

Play an Instrument!

Many fun songs have a steady beat too! Here are some that you can sing and play an instrument along to:

– Old MacDonald had a Band (Raffi’s take on the traditional song)

– Twinkle twinkle little star (Lisa Loeb & Elizabeth Mitchell’s version which I love!)

– Row Row Row (Raffi – this version is perfect for babies and toddlers!)

– I’m A Little Teapot This video demonstrates whole body movements with each repetition getting faster. Kids are sure to love going faster! and faster!

– Baby Shark (This version by Super Simple Songs is MY FAVORITE and the favorite of every kiddo in my early childhood music classes!)

What toys can parents use to encourage children to feel a steady beat?

There are many instruments on the market such as  tambourines, maracas, shakers and rhythm instruments. Here are some instrument sets I recommend! Steady beats can be heard when shaking them or playing with them a certain way. Other creative ideas include having children build towers. You can build with steady beats until they feel tired…then the tower comes tumbling down! In this case, it’s not the objects themselves but how we interact with them that provide steady beats.

It’s not the objects themselves
but how we interact with them
that provide steady beats.

When you encourage children to feel steady beats by doing activities together you are helping to develop early literacy skills! This type of play helps prepare pre-readers and beginning readers with building vocabulary (kids who can express what they mean with words), listening ability, attention (to listen), and following directions, all which are essential for early learning and literacy development.

Conclusion:

Beats are steady rhythms that have a steady beat. They can be felt by moving our bodies in steady rhythmic motions or rhythmically tapping objects together. There are many toys on the market that make steady beat sounds and movements if you want them for your home or classroom. You can find steady beats in song lyrics and books too! The most important thing is to play with your child and sing steady beat songs together—and just feel a steady beat whenever possible! You’ll both enjoy the fun time spent exploring life with steady beats!

What everyday items do you use to help teach your child about steady beats? Please leave me a comment below so I can hear from you!

Note: This blog post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through the link I may make a small commission which helps support this blog, at no extra cost to you.

If you’re looking for a new way to bond with your child, then I have the perfect class just for you! You will learn how to make music together and show them that they can do anything. Meet Beethoven, an adorable pancake loving sheep dog who loves to sing, dance, and play musical instruments. You will also see exactly how I work with stuffed animals to help toddlers feel a steady beat! This class are free of charge so don’t miss out on this opportunity today!

Sign up for my newsletter and get this FREE music class to enjoy with your children!

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