Echo songs - especially enjoyable ways to develop singing skills and a love of singing

There are many traditional echo songs which are great for sharing with young children. They are musically interactive, helping to develop confidence as well as skills in singing. One of my favourites is Down by the bay. I love it because of its lilting melody, its humour, and the chance for creativity it provides for children as they make up their own rhymes for the end of the song.

I have introduced it to many groups of children and it is always enthusiastically received. I have also shared it with many pre-service Early Childhood teachers, who have returned from their classroom practicum experiences with stories of how much children have enjoyed it.

Here is a link to a lovely video of a mother and daughter singing Down by the bay together:
Down by the Bay

The Canadian singer Raffi, who has written and performed many wonderful songs for children, is here in the Youtube clip performing Down by the bay. 

If you've never sung this song, consider learning it and sharing it with children. I'm sure both you and they will enjoy it.

If you can speak, you can sing: Singing skills for educators

Inspire children to sing beautifully by being a good singing role model. Here are a few tips:

• Start with songs you know how to sing - revisit the songs of your childhood, especially traditional nursery songs.
• Practice singing these songs: In your car, in the shower, anywhere private. 
• Try to sing nearly every day. 
• Explore youtube to find singing warm ups for young children and use them yourself, as well as with children.

Singing is a physical skill, so technique and practice will improve performance, just as they do for fitness or sports. Singing is described as a perceptual motor skill, as it involves aural perception (listening), memory and production of sound. 

To develop your listening and musical memory, listen to quality recordings of children's songs. Hit the repeat 'button' several times for each song. Sing along with the recording at first, then try pausing it and singing solo. 

To develop your sound production, there are simple techniques you can use. Below is a website with suggestions for physical exercises which will quickly improve your singing. 

http://blog.discmakers.com/2013/05/singing-tips-sing-better-right-now/

Happy singing.

Twinkle twinkle

Perhaps the most-sung song in the world. Much more popular than any song on the pop charts. So simple, and yet so moving to sing it with young children and share in their joyful participation.  You can sing it, hum it, do the actions, strum along on a guitar or ukelele, sing/read one of the many illustrated books, use finger cymbals or a triangle for the 'strong' beats (first beat of each bar), give children stars to wave with the beat. Sing it softly, or a bit louder (but not too loud). Sing it at a gentle pace (not too fast). Sing it often, never just once.