I want to share some of my favorite resources for music for preschoolers. Over the years, I’ve heard lots of performers and obtained many CD’s and MP3’s but some are better than others. Let’s be honest, we want kids to enjoy the music and learn with it, but we as teachers and parents want to enjoy it too!
The Benefits of Music for Children
First, here’s a little on the benefits of music for children. Music is learning! (BrightHorizons.com)
Music ignites all areas of child development: intellectual, social and emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.
Mother Goose Time
They have the best preschool thematic CD’s that are included in their curriculum kits each month! Sometimes I find music made up to go along with themes are just not that great of quality, cheesy, and hard to “get into”. Not these CD’s from Mother Goose Time! Each one features a different genre of music (Disco-inspired, Electric Pop, Swing, Blues, Rock, Rhythm & Blues, Latin, Inspired, folk songs, etc.)
Each CD has instrumentals as well. We use Mother Goose Time CD’s the most throughout our day because it relates to what we are learning. The CD player in our room is for the children’s use. I provide a couple CD’s and they have control of it. I put a piece of red tape on the on/off button so they can remember which button to push.
My group memorizes these songs surprisingly fast, telling me they are effective as well as enjoyable. Why not put that subliminal message in their mind, “…eat broc…co..li…” (from the Food & Fitness CD) as often as possible! I’d have to say, these songs stick in my brain too, even waking up in the middle of the night with phrases in my head. It’s a good thing! The themed Mother Goose Time CD’s can also be found on Amazon.
Music with Nancy
Nancy’s music is “children’s music with a purpose”, which is important because we know children learn so much through music! She has many songs with actions that teach even babies and toddlers. What does music teach young children? So many wonderful things, including sharing, patience, counting, self-control “stop”, directional words and more. We have Nancy Kopman’s Children’s Music CD “The Seasons”. Nancy has a beautiful voice, excellent understanding of child development and the importance of learning through music and movement. Check out “Riding on my Bicycle” and see how you can use this song with infants! My preschoolers love this one. Great for indoor music and movement time.
Walk Around is catchy, fun and fabulous!
Nancy is excited to share her 4th album of educational children’s music, “Shadow”. All four of her CD’s are available for download on iTunes.
Super Simple Learning
Super Simple Learning is a great resource for child care providers and preschool teachers! They have a wonderful, huge collection of educational songs, coordinating videos and quality resources to incorporate into your lesson plans. I agree that these songs are super simple to teach and super simple to learn besides being fun! We have Super Simple Songs 3 and we use the Hello Hello song often:
We also like “Open Shut Them” opposites song and “Skidamarink“. There are many, many themes to choose from so whatever you are teaching, there should be something that coordinates.
Barefoot Books
Barefoot Books are some of my absolute favorite stories. Many of them are Sing-A-Long books, so even better – a book and a song! We adore “Animal Boogie” “We All Go Traveling By” and “Up, Up, Up!” We have many of their award winning books, many which were included in the Mother Goose Time curriculum one year. The Sing-A-Long books are our favorite though. See how wonderful this one is:
More Music for Preschoolers
These well-known artists continue to be some of our most listened-to CD’s.
What are some of your favorite children’s songs or performers?