| > | | | | for children is where you and your child can add as |
| Singing is an absolutely wonderful, but simple, thing to | | | | many verses as you like, as long as you can think of |
| be doing with your child. Children are natural singers. | | | | what to add to the list next. An example of this is |
| Singing with your child will lead your child to having | | | | "Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i-o." Songs like these |
| positive feelings about music and their own singing. | | | | are also great for small children who have trouble |
| Song has been an important part of your child's life | | | | remembering the words. Parents can have trouble |
| from the very beginning. Babies love to hear their | | | | with the words, too! |
| parents sing to them, whether it is a lullaby or a | | | | While we are on the subject of words, let us note |
| playful song. If you are the kind of person that sings | | | | that sometimes a great way to sing an old song is |
| in the shower or sings or whistles as you go about | | | | with brand new words that you made up yourself. |
| your daily tasks in the home, your baby will soon | | | | "Over the river and through the woods, to |
| learn that singing is something that expresses | | | | grandmother's house we go" can become "over the |
| happiness and brings enjoyment to the singer and | | | | freeway and through the city." There is no reason |
| the listener. | | | | not to have as much fun as you can with |
| Children are natural singers. It is usually only after | | | | spontaneous improvisations. This is especially true |
| someone criticizes them for singing too loudly or | | | | when you cannot remember the original words. |
| off-key that they will become self-conscious. If | | | | Songs can also be the backbone of many great |
| singing is treated as normal in the home then your | | | | games. Every preschool must play "ring around the |
| child will usually become a singer, too. | | | | rosie" at one time or another because it is a great |
| Singing is something that families can do together | | | | way to get everyone to join hands and stay |
| after a meal. Families can sing together on special | | | | together while playing in a group. You and your child |
| occasions like religious celebrations or birthday parties. | | | | alone can play "name that tune" by humming a few |
| Nothing could be more natural than singing a lullaby | | | | notes from the beginning of a song or tapping the |
| after the bedtime story and goodnight kiss. Even if | | | | rhythm. |
| you consider yourself unmusical you probably know | | | | Singing is an absolutely wonderful, but simple, thing to |
| dozens of old familiar songs. | | | | be doing with your child. It will certainly lead to your |
| Children love songs with repetitive words and | | | | child having positive feelings about music and their |
| patterns. They like the kinds of songs that they can | | | | own singing. They will learn not to regard music as |
| make actions with their hands to go along with the | | | | something they can only be a spectator to. Your child |
| song. Think of "if you're happy and you know it, clap | | | | may not ever become a professional musician -- nor |
| your hands." Another example is "the wheels on the | | | | do they need to aspire to become one -- but they |
| bus go round and round." Another good kind of song | | | | will learn to love and enjoy music. |