“Summertime…and the living is easy.” “Here comes the sun!” “Sunshine, on my shoulders, makes me happy.” There are so many wonderful songs celebrating the glories of summertime. Music is the universal language, and children naturally respond to a tune. Ask any child over the age of five, “What letter comes after J?” and they will pause, and silently sing the ABC song in their heads to figure out the answer. That’s the power of music when it comes to the learning process.
Want kids to clean up? Sing, “It’s cleanup time, it’s cleanup time, we all get together and it’s cleanup time.” Need to get them in the tub? “Splish, splash I was taking a bath, long about a Saturday night.” Trouble getting dressed? “This is the way we put on our shoes, put on our shoes, put on our shoes. This is the way we put on our shoes so early in the morning.”
The rhythms in songs help children get ready to read since they can easily recognize smaller sounds because the words are drawn out, so music teaches them phonological awareness of syllables and the other building blocks for language. Not to mention it’s fun and highly motivating to sing together! Here are some of our favorite albums to share with kids this summer. They are perfect for family singalongs on road trips or just chillin’ by the pool on a sunny day.
Check the Library for CDs and free downloadable songs from our digital collection using Hoopla or Freegal .
Laurie Berkner’s Favorite Classic Kids’ Songs
Baby Beluga by Raffi
100 Toddler Favorites by Music for Little People
DCapella: Favorite Disney Songs Performed A Capella
Kids World Party by Putumayo Kids
Singin’ in the Bathtub by John Lithgow
Really Rosie by Carole King
Baby Songs about Animals by Kidsongs
Children’s Concert at Town Hall by Pete Seeger
My Little Broadway by Topol