When you learn a simple song
How is it that it stays so long?
Why is it that the simple songs we learned in childhood seem to remain with us? These songs we sung so frequently as we grew become so familiar that we can sing them to the children that come into our adult lives!
Singing is one of the easiest things caregivers can do to help young children get ready to read.
Singing provides so many early literacy benefits. Among these benefits are repetition and rhyming – two building blocks for reading.
To start with, because children love singing so much, you can read rhyming books that are very singable. Or just add a tune as you read any book, and, voila, you’re singing it!
Here are some of the additional benefits of singing:
- Songs can teach children new vocabulary words, like “fetch” and “stout” from singable Mother Goose rhymes.
- Songs tell stories, like A Frog Went a’ Walkin’, which reinforces narrative skills.
- Songs help children break down words into smaller sounds, which will help them sound out words when beginning to read.
- Often you slow down your words when singing and that can help a young child to hear better.
- And then there are the three R’s: rhythm, rhyme, and repetition.
And you know what? Young children don’t care if you can’t carry a tune! They’re just happy to be singing along with you.
Here are some books to help you get started:
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
-Jeannie, Children's Team, Sahuarita Library
Read, Write, Talk, Sing, Play!
Singing is incredibly engaging for children and has countless early literacy benefits, which include building vocabulary, slowing down language, developing memory skills, and so much more!
Read more about early literacy and how you can make a difference in your child's life.
