Pima County Public Library Shared I Can’t Keep My Heart From Singing – And That’s A Good Thing

Press release from the Pima County Public Library :

January 21, 2021

Why is it that the simple songs we learned in childhood seem to remain with us? These songs we sung so frequently as we grew become so familiar that we can sing them to the children that come into our adult lives!

Singing is one of the easiest things caregivers can do to help young children get ready to read.

Singing provides so many early literacy benefits. Among these benefits are repetition and rhyming – two building blocks for reading.

To start with, because children love singing so much, you can read rhyming books that are very singable. Or just add a tune as you read any book, and, voila, you’re singing it!

Here are some of the additional benefits of singing:

• Songs can teach children new vocabulary words, like “fetch” and “stout” from singable Mother Goose rhymes.
• Songs tell stories, like A Frog Went a’ Walkin’, which reinforces narrative skills.
• Songs help children break down words into smaller sounds, which will help them sound out words when beginning to read.
• Often you slow down your words when singing and that can help a young child to hear better.
• And then there are the three R’s: rhythm, rhyme, and repetition.

And you know what? Young children don’t care if you can’t carry a tune! They’re just happy to be singing along with you.

Here are some books to help you get started:

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

The Bear Went Over the Mountain The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Cabrera, JaneCabrera, Jane

Book, 2020Available View details View details for The Bear Went Over the Mountain, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd The Bear Went Over the Mountain Book by Cabrera, Jane to your for later shelf Add The Bear Went Over the Mountain Book by Cabrera, Jane to a different shelf

We're Going on A Bear Hunt

We're Going on a Bear Hunt We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Rosen, Michael, 1946-Rosen, Michael, 1946-

Book, 1989Available View detailsView details for We're Going on A Bear Hunt, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd We're Going on A Bear HuntBook by Rosen, Michael to your for later shelfAdd We're Going on A Bear HuntBook by Rosen, Michael to a different shelf

Miss Mary Mack

Miss Mary Mack Miss Mary Mack

Hoberman, Mary AnnHoberman, Mary Ann

Book, 2003Available View detailsView details for Miss Mary Mack, Book, Available Place holdFor LaterAdd Miss Mary MackBook by Hoberman, Mary Ann to your for later shelfAdd Miss Mary MackBook by Hoberman, Mary Ann to a different shelf

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Cabrera, JaneCabrera, Jane

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat Pete the Cat

I Love My White ShoesLitwin, EricLitwin, Eric

-Jeannie, Children's Team, Sahuarita Library

Read, Write, Talk, Sing, Play!

Singing is incredibly engaging for children and has countless early literacy benefits, which include building vocabulary, slowing down language, developing memory skills, and so much more!

Read more about early literacy and how you can make a difference in your child's life.

This press release was produced by the Pima County Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.