31 Days of Play! Songs

I talked about my love of playing music with Beansprout in this post, one of my first about play this month, but can't help but write about it again.  I've been reminded a few times this month how songs have really helped Beansprout in one way or another.  Of course, singing lullabies was a huge part of his babyhood - I learned as many as I possibly could as I'd do anything to help get him to sleep at that time.  Yet, music also came in handy as a distraction when he had to go in for numerous tests as a baby -- I was able to help him stay calm and relaxed by singing some of our favorite Mothergoose songs.  For his first year of life I attended a weekly Mothergoose program with him - if you have a young one, I highly recommend even one session of this program!  The program helps you remember songs you knew growing up and teaches you many more that you can stockpile for just the right moment.  We've been able to encourage him to brush his teeth and get his hair rinsed with songs and I know we've learned a getting dressed song, too.  My friend, Lorraine, and I used to joke that we had a song for everything - much to the annoyance of those around us, I'm sure!

Marching with the Dinosaurs

What I really appreciate is the fact that songs have not only soothed my little guy in many situations, but they've also helped him make connections in his world.  We recently visited the dinosaur exhibit at Science World and he fell in love with them!  We thought he might be afraid of the sounds and the lights and the size of the creatures, yet he wanted to go around and around to see them numerous times.  I half think that it's due to the fact that as soon as we entered the exhibit I started singing, "We are the Dinosaurs", from The Laurie Berkner Band.  Instead of being afraid, this was a signal to Beansprout that it was connected to play!  Whenever he sees or talks about dinosaurs now he always mentions their marching, a key part of the chorus, so it was easy to "march" him around the exhibit to help him take it all in at first.

I love when Beansprout is working to make connections, but songs have also helped avoid major meltdowns (for all of us) when the car ride has become too much for him.  Snacktime from Barenaked Ladies has been a favorite - one of those kids' albums that doesn't make you want to stick a knife in your head after listening to it.  He enjoys participating in "Popcorn" and likes to chime in with his favorite snack on the title track of the album.  The songs are really enjoyable, as many of them have playful lyrics that appeal to adults - lyrics that go over the heads of the young ones, I'm sure.  (Besides, who can resist all the famous Canadians featured on the "Snacktime" song!?!)

I'm always on the look-out for music that will appeal to both me and Beansprout.  Do you have any favorite albums for kids that you love?  Can you still remember those from your childhood?  How have songs helped you or your children?

31 Days of Play! This mom loves music!

Beansprout and Guitar

As I turned idea after idea over in my brain deciding what I passionately wanted to write about for 31 days, I was convinced I had my theme after hearing about Dr. Stuart Brown's inspiring research on play.  I watched his TED Talk, "Play is more than fun," and haven't stopped thinking about it since.  I highly recommend having a look at it, as Brown is a wonderful speaker who makes his research on play accessible to all.  Watching his talk really forced me to take a look at my own practices of play, and I felt especially reflective about how my own parents played with me as a child.  Chatting with Matt, I came around to talking about my mom's love of New Country music.  (Stick with me here, it does actually relate!)  It seems whenever I'm in the car with Mom, listening to her music, she feels she has to explain herself; in our most recent conversation on the topic she equated New Country to Old-time Rock and Roll, but wondered if she shouldn't be listening to classical music.  I realize now that what she really fears is that her choice in music is fun, but not necessarily grown-up.  I remember telling her, "you like what you like!"  Yet now I feel I have a whole new insight . . . listening to music is her PLAY!  Belting out a few tunes on the way home after a long day at work makes you feel young and alive.  Play at it's best.  Thinking on all of this I understand now that this is how we played together (and still do!)  Memories of standing in the kitchen at not more than six or seven years old, competing to see who knew all the words to Billy Joel's "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" or singing together in the car to "Backwards" from Rascal Flatts are some of my favorites.

Guitar concentration

Today, this is my play with Beansprout!  The play that I love.  We sings songs together all the time and dance around the living room being monsters or airplanes or horsemen.  I hope he has fond memories of these moments one day as this is the play that comes naturally to me.

What play memories do you have of your parents?  Do they reflect the way you play with your own children?


I'm writing about play for 31 days!  Check out an explanation of the challenge here and check out my other  posts so far: 31 Days of Play!, Play for the Senses.  Thanks for reading, I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts!