Last Updated - November 6, 2024
Singing from birth (and before!) supports your child to develop their speech and language skills – copying actions and words, listening, turn taking, introduce new words, increase vocabulary, and support memory skills. A baby/child can use their gross motor skills with action songs and supports bonding with you and others. Singing can also soothe and distract – a soothing song and calming movement helps sleep.
Singing to your child can be important for many reasons, including:
Bonding: Singing can create a special moment and strengthen the bond between you and your child. The act of singing releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, which can reduce stress and increase relaxation.
Language: Singing can help babies learn about words, language, and communication. It can also help toddlers and children expand their vocabulary and learn about creative language and rhyme.
Transitions: Songs can help babies know what to expect during routine transitions like waking up and sleeping.
Emotional skills: Singing can help children understand and control their emotions, feel more confident, and bond with others.
Cognitive skills: Singing can help children learn new concepts like counting and sequencing.
Reading: Singing can help children learn how to read by training their ears to hear individual letter sounds and words.
Musical dynamics: Singing teaches children about musical dynamics such as loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low, legato and staccato, and happy and sad.
Singing makes you happy: Singing out loud releases feel-good hormones called endorphins that make you feel happy and positive. There is also a tiny part of your inner ear, called the sacculus, that releases even more happy hormones when it’s stimulated by music. So turn up the volume and belt out your favourite tune!
Try the happy song from CBeebies
Absolutely anytime! Singing can be enjoyed no matter where you are… Walking in the park, driving in the car, bath time, soothing songs at bedtime, getting dressed/undressed, playing together…
When singing together support your baby/child by facing them so they can see your face/expressions and movement of your mouth. Slow down your singing so words can be heard more clearly and support your child with the actions. Repeating songs is a great way for children to build their memory skills and join in again and again with a familiar song! Banging on a drum, shaking a rattle/bells, clapping supports their motor skills and helps children hear different sounds and rhythm.
Take a look at BBC Tiny Happy people for some great videos or songs and nursery rhymes. Like The wheels on the bus or click here to discover lots more.
