Finding music that both kids and parents will enjoy can be challenging. Read on to know more, and to find suggestions for music for kids and parents to enjoy together!
I’m sure we all are familiar with traditional nursery rhymes — we grew up with them, and most probably have been singing them to our children since they were born.
However, not all of us may appreciate such rhymes, especially the ones that seem ‘morbid.’
Take, for example, “Rock-a-bye Baby.”
Think about it — what sort of twisted parent would leave a baby alone on a treetop, and then merrily sing about the cradle falling, baby and all!
I can’t help but mention this nursery rhyme too:
Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home
Your house is on fire, your children are gone
All except one, her name is Nan
She crept under a frying pan
This imagery — which reeks of arson — sounds more like it came from one of Stephen King’s horror novels, instead of a comforting nursery rhyme.
Here’s another one:
London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady
Take a key and lock her up, lock her up, lock her up
Take a key and lock her up, my fair lady
Imagine what happens when London Bridge falls down? Disaster! And why even sing about locking up girls?!
So what kind of music is good for kids and parents then?
Until about 5 years ago, my life revolved around music.
As the Station Manager of an FM music radio, I had to keep abreast of what’s hot not only in the music industry but also about trends and gig concepts, and find out what would click with our target market.
To be on top of the ratings game, you have to GIVE what the listeners want to hear.
In other words, my job was to know what the listeners wanted and, if the artist or music is new, to predict if the listeners WILL want to listen to it.
Basically, I would know if a song would become a chartbuster hit way before it even became popular.
What I have learned with my more than 20 years experience in the music industry is this: Like our nursery rhymes, the songs that click are not necessarily the sanest of them all.
Find out what kind of music is best for both kids and parents via the suggestions in this article!
I am sure you have a song (or songs!) that you have grown so sick and tired of, so much that you feel like your head will explode whenever you hear it on the radio.
Thus, with a child’s propensity at demanding to listen to his favourite music (whether it’s a nursery rhyme or a Hannah Montana song) over and over and over and over, it would help if we parents could take part in choosing songs that they may like — so we can also we preserve our sanity.
Simply put, it would be much better if we could select music for kids and parents to enjoy together.
Here are 5 suggestions for music that I’m sure both kids and parents will enjoy:
1. Sing your favourite love songs.
On lulling your baby to sleep, you may sing your (and your mate’s) favourite love song(s). You will not only put your baby to sleep with good thoughts and feelings, but you can also take a trip down memory lane.
2. Barney rocks!
For background music, Barney songs aren’t too bad. Unlike the nonsensical songs like “Jack and Jill”, Barney songs are highly educational.
Confession: I would even catch myself singing the “I love you” song from Barney at the oddest times, even when I wasn’t with my kids!
Another great find — especially for parents who dig rock and roll music — is Little Richard’s Shake It All About album.
You won’t be able to resist doing the Hokey Pokey while listening to this icon of rock and roll!
So go ahead and dance to the music while your child looks at you bewildered and amused. He’ll soon get the cue to join in on the fun!
3. Clayderman is cool.
For relaxing background music, my favourites are Richard Clayderman’s “Ballade Pour Adeline,” “Fur Elise,” “Poetic Sonatina,” and several others.
Actually, while you’re at it, you can also play music by one or two of your favourite solo piano artists. Who knows, your child may even be inspired to take up piano lessons because of it!
4. Bach is best.
I would also like to add Johann Sebastian Bach’s music to our list of music for kids and parents.
In fact, experts say that Bach’s compositions have been largely associated with the improvement of intelligence, verbal and spatial abilities, creativity, and memory.
Having said, that, I’m sure you parents will also benefit from it, as the effects of music are not limited to children — so go on, turn up the Bach, baby!
5. Don’t forget the other classics!
Starfall.com has a great selection of free famous classical music that you can introduce to your kids.
Their ‘animated versions’ of well-loved classics are sure to leave your kids demanding to hear Beethoven — and the other composers — over and over again!
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and make ‘musical memories’ with your child, with our suggestions for music for kids and parents!
Mums and dads, do you have other suggestions to add to our list for music for kids and parents? Share them with us by leaving a comment below!