Mommy Teach Me:: Music

Music

A picture says
a thousand words.

Barbara sitting in a huge chair

Here I've selected the music I've most enjoyed listening and dancing to with my kids. Truly one of the most wonderful parts of being a parent!

Expose them to a wide range of music. Look for Lollipop Concerts or other symphony-for-kids events. And don't forget to give them rhythm instruments!

	The Best of Classics for Kids Maria Montessori said that our job is to give our children the world - meaning that we should expose them to as much as we can of other cultures and the fantastic variety of our own. If you have no background in classical music - I didn't when I first became a mom - it's fun to gain exposure yourself as you give it to your child. A great place to start is with a collection like this.
	Classics for Kids These are energetic and very kid-friendly pieces from The Nutcracker, Rodeo, and Carnival of the Animals. Fun for everyone!
	Pavarotti: My Favorite Opera for Children Listen to some selections from the sampler at Amazon and you'll see why children will enjoy these.
	Raffi's Singable Songs Another 3-disc collection, but worth every penny. I've been singing these songs along with my kids for 22 years, which indicates they're a cut above most kids' music. I'd say that what C. S. Lewis said of books - ". . . it certainly is my opinion that a book worth reading only in childhood is not worth reading even then" - must be true of music as well.
	Raffi's Box of Sunshine Started listening to Raffi when Josh was a toddler. He's now 23 - but Justin's only 7. It's been many years, but I'll never get tired of Raffi!
	A Child's Celebration of Broadway Music for Little People is a producer of a series of child-friendly collections from different genres. Browse through the selections of each one - they're very impressive - and a great way to expose your kids to all kinds of music.
	A Child's Celebration of Song James Taylor, Paul Simon, Judie Garland - stellar artists singing kid-friendly songs - a great collection.
	A Child's Celebration of Rock and Roll Kids love these funny songs from the 50s.
	Jazz for kids A wonderful collection of classic favorites like Ella Fitzgerald singing "Old McDonald." Carmen MacRae singing "When the Red, Red Robin" - and closing with Louis Armstrong singing "What a Wonderful World." You can listen to samples at Amazon - you'll be hooked and so will your kids.
	Sleep Sound in Jesus A nurse gave this to me when Jonny was recovering from his first surgery right after he was born in 1992. I had never known the kind of exhaustion that comes from having a child and not being able to bring him home, nor the anguish of not knowing if he would pull through his difficulties. I would lay my head beside Jonny's fragile body with all the tubes running in and out and the beeping monitors and I'd play that tape and sing along with Michael Card. It was as though I was being sung to and reassured as well. This wonderful tape has so many special songs. In 13 years, I've never grown bored with them. My favorites are "Even the Darkness is Light to Him" and "For He Grants Sleep to the One that He Loves." You can hear little snippets of them at amazon. I recommend it to every family, even if your children are beyond the baby years. It will remind you how special your children are to you and how special all his children are to our Heavenly Father.
	Baby Face A cute collection of songs with "baby" in the title, designed to encourage interactive musical moments for mom and baby or toddler. I started singing one of these songs last night and my oldest son, 22-year-old Josh, pricked up his ears, got a misty look in his eyes and started singing along too. Happy memories!
	Hymns for a Kid's Heart - Volume Two One of the best gifts you can give your children - passing on the rich heritage of classic hymns in a context they can embrace: child-friendly stories of the origin and meaning of each hymn, with tales of the composers' own childhoods - plus a CD with crystal-clear kids' voices singing against an orchestral background. So much intelligence and love went into this project - it is absolutely perfect for children. Sure to enrich your family life and legacy!
	Hymns for a Kid's Heart One of the best gifts you can give your children - passing on the rich heritage of classic hymns in a context they can embrace: child-friendly stories of the origin and meaning of each hymn, with tales of the composers' own childhoods - plus a CD with crystal-clear kids' voices singing against an orchestral background. So much intelligence and love went into this project - it is absolutely perfect for children. Sure to enrich your family life and legacy!
	Rhythm Sticks
	Two-tone Woodblock Another Classic.
	Child's tambourine Must-have rhythm instrument for kids.
	Remo Kid's Floor Drum We've had several Remo products for a long time - a great investment.
	Classic Sleigh Bells Another classic kids' percussion instrument.
	Rainbow shakers Great way to give your child experience at keeping rhythm - an inexpensive and fun gift too.
	Cluster Bells Absolute classic.
	Remo Lollipop Drum Kids love this and it has a great sound. Another great gift idea.

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