Blogging A to Z: Singing
Very similar to rhyming, singing helps kids hear the smaller sounds of words. Many songs also tell a story teaching kids about narrative skill – how stories work with a beginning, middle, and end. Plus, where else would you ever talk to your kids about a “tuffet” as in “Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet”. Vocabulary is a huge part of reading and singing!
A personal story about singing – I have an awful voice. I can’t carry a tune to save my life, seriously. Singing picture books during storytime has been the absolute best way to gain almost every kid’s attention in that room. When you’ve got 20 toddlers doing 20 different things, bust out a sing-a-long picture book. You’ll be surprised at the results, trust me!
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Do you sing nursery rhymes with your kids? You know the old school songs that you probably heard growing up? What about kids’ music? Having a dance party in the kitchen while you’re making dinner is a great way to stretch and move, get out some extra energy and have a lot of fun! If you’re not familiar with kids’ artist, check our Raffi if you want to go old school and the Laurie Berkner Band too! My partner even knows a couple of songs and we don’t even have kids. They’ll get stuck in your head and you’ll definitely be singing along.
Also, check out Emily Arrow who has a number of albums of really great kids’ music that she created from children’s books. It’s a great way to share a story and listen to a song about the same story! Max the Brave is probably one of my favorites!
And don’t forget, it’s not about what you sound like, it’s about how much fun you’re having as a family!
Singing books are some of the most fun titles to read aloud – and always grab a kid’s attention!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Book List #19 – Singing
- Down by the Bay by Raffi, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
An oldie but a goodie! This is a must-sing! - Down by the Station by Jennifer Riggs Vetter, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
I love, love love this book – it’s one my go-to storytime selections. - Every Little Thing by Bob Marley and Cedella Marley, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Add a little reggae to your day with Bob Marley’s song in board book form! - Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Bob Kolar
A new version of “Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush” - I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow
Another storytime favorite – this book is so fun! - If You’re a Monster and You Know It by Rebecca Emberley, illustrated by Ed Emberley
Perfect for Halloween or anytime when you need to snarl and growl! - If You’re Happy and You Know It: Jungle Edition by James Warhola
Jungle animals become the stars of this fun rendition of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”. - Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jeanette Canyon
Gorgeous illustrations bring the ocean to life in this book based on the song “Over in the Meadow” - Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera
With more verses than you could ever imagine, this is a fun sing-along. - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Car by Kate Dopirak, illustrated by Mary Peterson
- We Are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner, illustrated by Ben Clanton
A book based on Laurie Berkner’s song by the same name! - The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk by Kabir Sehgal and Surishtha Sehgal, illustrated by Jess Golden
A diverse take on “The Wheels on the Bus”
If you’re interested in purchasing any of the titles on this list, please use my affiliate link for Bookshop.org. When you purchase from this link, I will earn a commission as an affiliate.
For the month of April, I’ll be sharing early literacy tips and book lists as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. Learn about the importance of early literacy and ways to incorporate tips and tricks into your family’s daily routine. Developing language skills before kids head to school helps them to be ready to learn when they reach school-age. In addition to great content, you’ll also get a new book list for each letter, resulting in over 300 board book and picture book suggestions for your family to enjoy!
