Singing! Singing is energizing, singing stimulates the brain, and singing is fun! Of the five practices of early literacy, read, sing, talk, play and write, singing is the easiest to incorporate into everyday activities. Sing to baby during diaper changes, sing during chores, make up silly songs about your daily activities, play your favorite music in the car and sing along — loudly! And don’t worry about how well you can sing, you’re not auditioning for The Voice afterall.
We sing a lot in story time, not only because it’s fun but also because singing breaks down the smaller sounds in words, helping children learn language more easily. Imagine singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The parts of each word are sung slowly and deliberately, therefore, each letter sound is distinct. But don’t limit yourself to kids songs and rhymes. Sing whatever brings you joy and you will see how singing makes a happy child.
For more information about ways babies and toddlers learn through singing visit naeyc, The National Association for the Education of Young Children. On Love to Sing you can find great kids songs and rhymes and also learn ten great reasons why singing makes kids happier.
See you in the Story Time Room!
Miss Kathleen
Early Literacy and Beyond 