Parenting Points – Singing helps your child learn

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This article was published 04/10/2012 (4722 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Singing to your baby or repeating rhymes is an early introduction to literacy.

When you sing the same songs over and over, your child is learning about sounds, patterns, and language. Even though it will be years before a baby will read a book, listening and responding to words is an important first step in that journey.

If you are not comfortable with the sound of your voice, or if you don’t know many children’s songs, listen to recordings and sing along once you know the words. Your baby responds to your voice, not the perfect pitch of the professional on the CD.

Some parents worry that their singing is not up to par, and that this will affect their child’s future ability to sing in tune. This is not the case, so sing out with enthusiasm, even if you are off key.

Songs that have movement are always fun. Gentle bouncing, rocking, tickling or moving hands and feet at key points in a song or rhyme can help babies know what is coming next and they get excited for the big finish.

Toddlers like to dance and move to music, and action songs are a great way to learn rhythm and co-ordination as well as extending their vocabulary. It is an easy way to help little ones learn to identify body parts, position words such as up and down, or follow directions to clap, jump, or turn around.

As you are going about your day, don’t be afraid to make up your own songs. Choose a children’s song with a simple tune, such as “Frere Jacques” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.

Make up words to go along with what you are doing; getting dressed, preparing a snack, going for a walk, or putting away toys. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or even rhyme, and could be as easy as singing the same line over and over. It may surprise you that your child is much more cooperative when she can sing along.

When singing with children, help put emphasis on rhythm by clapping, marching, or using household items as instruments. Try banging a wooden spoon on a plastic pail, clapping two blocks together, or shaking a well-sealed container of rice or dry pasta.

Small children will not be able to keep a steady beat, but they love to hear the sounds they create. Encourage them to clap and sing loudly or softly, fast or slow.

Try to spend some time each day singing to or with your young child. Singing helps to build literacy skills and vocabulary, co-ordination and confidence. But even more important, it is a special time you can spend together having fun and creating memories.

Shawna Munro works at the Elspeth Reid Family Resource Centre, a facility of Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba that offers parenting information and support. » 255 Ninth St., Brandon » 726-6280