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Right from the time they are born babies respond to music and, in particular, singing. Our innate ability to recognise rhythms is something we as parents will innately tap into by using songs to soothe our babies.
As our babies grow, music and song continue to be important for children and can help their development in a myriad of ways, particularly when combined with movement.
How it helps our kids
Action songs have an enduring appeal for very good reasons. Songs that include hand and body movements are a fun way for our toddlers (and older children) to learn a range of concepts, such as the names of animals, their own body parts, colours and the letters of the alphabet.
It's not just about giving names to things, either. Songs with actions enhance our children's development across a range of key skills. They help strengthen memory and recall, broaden vocabulary, assist in the development of fine and gross motor skills, enhance hand-eye coordination, encourage the ability to understand and comply with directions, promote social skills and cooperation and enhance bonding between the child and carer and between the child and his or her peers.
Clinical and Coaching Psychologist, Dr Suzy Green, is the founder of The Positivity Institute, an organisation dedicated to research and application of Positive Psychology for life, school and work. She says that studies have backed up the benefits that our children gain from singing and moving.
"Research has shown that singing to children has enormous developmental benefits beyond the fun and playfulness experienced at the time," she says. "Music and rhyme increase a child's ability in spatial reasoning, which then can positively impact a child's mathematical and scientific abilities into the future. Adding actions to songs, as well as dancing, help your child to learn balance, co-ordination, body awareness and rhythm."
Dr Ginni Mansberg is a GP, author and resident doctor on Channel 7's Sunrise program. She agrees that singing and moving with our kids is beneficial, but adds that it's the act of doing something together that is most important.
"Don't take it too seriously," she warns. "As long as you're communicating, having fun and spending time with your child it doesn't matter too much if they don't master the words of actions straight away."
Songs with actions
One of the enduring childhood classics of the action song category is undoubtedly Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. As you sing the song, you point to each of the body parts named, which not only helps your child learn it's also a great way to get moving.
Heads and shoulders, knees and toes
Knees and toes, knees and toes
Heads and shoulders, knees and toes
We all clap hands together
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
Mouth and nose, mouth and nose
Eyes and ears and mouth and nose
We all clap hands together
"It's a terrific song!" says Dr Ginni. "It's easy to learn, teaches body parts and its one you can sing together. Songs like this help our children bed down concepts and the actions make it fun."
The basic song is simple and easy to remember, but you can mix things up as your toddler begins to become bored with it. Singing it in reverse is a good option, as is omitting the names of the body parts as you go through second and subsequent body verses and just pointing to them instead. Another way to mix things up and keep kids entertained once they have mastered the song is to sing it to them pointing to the wrong body parts and let them catch you out making the mistake. They love the silliness of it and the chance to tell mum or dad that they've got it wrong.
Broadening the repertoire
Another great classic of the action song genre is If You're Happy And You Know It. This one is a great mood lifter and like Heads, Shoulders, Knees And Toes can help teach body parts.
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it stamp your feet
If you're happy and you know it stamp your feet
If you're happy and you know it and you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it stamp your feet
To mix things up, try including other actions – substitute "touch your knee" or "twirl around" for some quieter verses, or keep the energy up with instructions like "shout hooray". As your child grows encourage them to use their imagination and creativity to come up with other suggestions for the song.
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