Rebecca Anne Swartz and Kira Hamann

Children love to sing, dance, and listen to music. Besides providing joy and creativity, these activities allow children to express their ideas and emotions. They also can help to develop social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills.

Families can make music part of their daily routines in many ways. Here are a few ideas for getting started.

Use music all day

Songs are a playful way to go through tasks and to practice new ideas. Think about playing music or singing with your child as they get dressed in the morning or prepare for bedtime. Listen to and sing songs that support what children are learning in school, like their body parts(“ Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”) or their classmates’ names(“ Willoughby Wallaby Woo”). Ask your child’ s teacher about the songs they sing at school, so you can try them at home. Share the songs that your family likes too!

32 Educating Young Children

Summer 2026