Have you ever got a song stuck in your head and you just can’t get rid of it? The ability to do this when no music is actually present is called audiation. Audiation is an acquired skill and introducing it to children at a young age is quite beneficial.  Audiation increases memory development and assists children in finding pitch. It may also help children learn to read in their head when the time comes!
 
When you notice your child begin to independently create music (either with their voice or with instruments) they are starting to audiate, but there are some steps that you will need to take to get your child to this point. These activities include:
 

• Listening to a variety of musical genres.  Choose music that uses different instruments and comes from different parts of the world.
• Interact with the music through movement, dancing, clapping and playing along with instruments you have at home.
• Repetition! Sing songs multiple times throughout the day. Kids NEED repetition to learn!
• Eliminate words in your child’s favorite songs and replace them with gestures just like in this video. When we take words away but continue to sing the song in our head, we are using audation. Adding actions to the song, helps us to keep a steady beat with our body as we turn off our outer voice and turn on our inner voice.

 
Get curious! Think about new ways to interact with music and your child will be audiating in no time!

​Sometimes the idea of being a novice gets in the way of us trying something new!  For new adult participants in our studio classes, it can feel daunting to dance alongside their child in front of a group of adults.  Though it may feel a bit awkward and strange, dancing with your baby has so many benefits and the best way to start is somewhere where you’re comfortable – at home!
 
Benefits of dancing with baby:

• Dancing with your baby strengthens your bond! Not only are you physically close, when you are dancing, you are focused on each other.  It is a great time to practice eye contact and different facial expressions.
• Music is critical to development. Music wakes up the senses, exposes baby to language and helps with emotional regulation.
• Moving is beneficial for you!  Even 5 minutes of bouncing to your favorite tune can make a difference for your overall mood and energy level.

 
How to get started:

• Turn on your favorite songs and just groove! Though we love children’s music, babies should be exposed to all genres.  Hopefully your child will start to like some of your favorites so you can avoid listening to “Wheels on the Bus” on repeat every time you get in the car. (No promises on that one!)
• You don’t have to become a choreographer to get your kiddo moving…use guided movement songs! As you can see in this video, Holly is using a guided song that tells her exactly what to do. This is also beneficial to little ones because they can pair language with movement. Read on for some of our favorites guided movement songs.

 
Guided Movement Favorites:

• “Walk and You Walk” by Rainbow Songs (featured in this video)
• “Shake My Sillies Out” by Raffi
• “Mr. Eric’s Jumping Song” by Mr. Eric
• “Shake Your Hands” by Jen Gould

 

Teaching Body positivity may seem like a large concept for your child to grasp, but using a song like "Elephant Have Wrinkles" can help children to develop body awareness and understanding. Understanding your body in relation to others and the world is important to positive self-concept and starting this process at a young age can assist with building confidence as kids grow older.  

Using positive words about your child can establish a positive self-concept. The song "Elephants Have Wrinkles" by Mike Whitla can help to start the conversation. Before starting the song have your child guess what animal you are thinking of, as shown in the video, and then go on with the activity. After the song is concludes, ask your child "Elephants have wrinkles...What's something that people have?" Their response can be as simple as "a nose" or as complex as "feelings." It is really dependent on what your child is thinking about in the moment.

From there you can foster a conversation about how everyone might have a nose, but they are all beautifully different. You can ask them to describe their nose or whatever body part chosen on them or you and you can compliment them and give them some positive feedback.

If their thought more abstract, like the feelings example, that conversation can be led in a similar way. Remind your child that everyone experiences feelings and check-in with how they are feeling that day.  Give examples of how certain things make you feel and ask them to do the same. All of these conversations can help build a positive self-concept!

Songs that focus on positive self-concept:

• Just Be - Kira Willey (body awareness and calming your body)
• My Energy - The Laurie Berkner Band (encourages self-confidence)