When children are young, parents often naturally sing to them and speak in sing-song voices. Did you know that singing and speaking with a melodic voice can actually enhance language learning? Singing can be beneficial for many aspects of language development, including imitation skills, joint attention, repetition, vocabulary, and turn-taking.
Many nursery rhymes and children’s songs are repetitive, allowing children more opportunities to learn the vocabulary. They are fun and engaging, which may make little ones more interested in what you are saying and more likely to attend and join in than when you are simply saying the words.
Below are several of our favorite tips for making songs interactive:
- Pause before finishing the verse and wait to see if the child will fill in the blank. For example, in “Ring around the Rosie” you can sing “we all fall….” and wait before falling down to see if the child will complete the verse by singing “down!”
- Include actions and gestures within songs such as Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, etc. Imitating gestures is an important step for children learning to imitate sounds and words!
- Use songs during times of transitions or include them in routines throughout the day, such as “This is the way we get dressed” while getting ready for the day, singing the “brush teeth” song, etc. This will not only help make these activities more fun, but will begin to associate related vocabulary with these routines.
- Consider including props and actions within the songs. For example, if singing “Row Row Row the Boat,” you can put your child in a box or laundry basket and move it from side to side to pretend it is a boat. When singing “Old MacDonald,” you can bring out toy animals and choose each animal to sing next. Your child may also choose which animal they would like next!
Remember, one of the biggest goals for early language learning is connection with others and making language fun! Making up silly songs about what the child is doing, or singing funny songs are all great ways to build enjoyment with communication!