Do-Re-Mi and ABC: Use Singing to Help Prepare Children for Reading
Our public libraries are strong supporters of the importance of early learning. There are several tools and resources you can use to strengthen your child’s literacy, including singing. Read on for more about simple practices you can start today.
The American Library Association has an initiative called Every Child Ready to Read which identifies six simple practices that parents and caregivers can do every day with their children to get them ready for kindergarten. These practices include talking, singing, playing, reading, writing, and counting. Singing is also part of the five principles identified in The Basics Virginia, a statewide initiative that promotes early childhood development. The daily practice of singing can help prepare your child to learn to read.
Singing slows down language so children can hear the smaller sounds in words. Children can hear each syllable because there is a different note for each syllable, which helps children sound out words when they are ready to read. Singing can help children increase their vocabulary, because songs have words not heard in everyday conversation. Songs can be used to teach concepts such as opposites, sizes, and shapes. They also help children with letter knowledge. For example, sing the alphabet song and then try singing it to another tune, just for fun. Sing songs with other letters, such as BINGO.
For another fun exercise, try singing instead of reading a book. Two good books to start with are I Went Walking by Sue Williams and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin, Jr. A child’s ability to discriminate sounds can be developed by listening to a variety of sounds. Try listening to nature sounds while you are taking a family walk, such as the sounds of different bird songs.
Some great examples of books that support the practice of singing are:
- Adela’s Mariachi Band by Denise Vega (also available on Hoopla)
- Bear Wants to Sing by Cary Fagan
- Here We Go Digging for Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth (also available on Hoopla)
- Hip-Hop Lollipop by Susan McElroy Montanari
- Kat Writes a Song by Greg Foley
- Motor Goose: Rhymes That Go! by Rebecca Colby (also available on Hoopla)
- Red House, Tree House, Itty Bitty Brown Mouse by Jane Godwin
- Rock-A-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman
- Singing in the Rain by Tim Hopgood
- Still This Love Goes On by Buffy Sainte-Marie (also available on Hoopla)
- Sugar Pie Lullaby: The Soul of Motown in a Song of Love by Carole Boston Weatherford (also available on Hoopla)
- We Belong to the Drum by Sandra Lamouche (also available on Hoopla)
You can also stream music for kids on Hoopla. Some recent additions include:
When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.
Translate