Singing to Build Early Literacy

Sing a song with your child today! You may already do this on a regular basis, but did you know that you are helping build your child's vocabulary and introducing new ideas when you sing? These are both important literacy components. In fact, singing is one of the five early literacy practices identified by the Every Child Read to Read @ Your Library project. (The five practices are talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing.)

Don't worry if you're a bit out of key--enthusiasm will make up for it! No matter what key you're in, singing slows down spoken words so that children can hear the distinct sounds that comprise each word. Being able to identify these sounds is a critical early literacy skill. You can sing traditional nursery rhymes, make up your own songs, or narrate your child's daily activities in a sing-song voice or to the tune of an old stand-by like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Why not personalize this tune with your own words and your child's name?

Here are some suggestions from our new music for songs that you and your kids can sing along with:

Jim Gill Presents Music Play for Folks of All Stripes
Making Silly Faces - In the Nick of Time