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1. It's all about Me, ME, MEEEEEE!
Not only does your child love to hear you sing, they love to hear you sing about THEM. It feels good to be a VIP! When your child hears their name, it’s brain food for focus and attention. Substituting your child’s name in “Mary Had a Little Lamb” or singing “This little Lauren of mine” (instead of “light”) can be so powerful in getting or redirecting their attention. Try it!
2. Take your silly seriously
Pull out an unexpected silly song or dance during dreary chores or errands and make the day sunny again! Try holding your nose and singing “Hello, Everybody” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Sweeping or vacuuming? Take a guitar solo! You’ll all get the giggles!
3. Go! Stop! . . . Go!!!
Play the freeze game to get your family out the door. “Toot” your “horn” and march slowly toward the door to “The Ants Go Marching.” Freeze after the first part of the song and give your child a sly look before marching quickly again. By the second time through, your child will want to lead YOU!
4. Beat the clock
Ask your toddler or preschooler if they can put their socks/pants/hat on before the end of “A Ram Sam Sam” (or the “William Tell Overture”/”Lone Ranger” theme)! Give them a turn to sing while you beat the clock putting on your shoes, too!
5. Party in Aisle 3!
Fly through your list as you sing the items off the grocery store shelves and let your child toss them in your basket. Choose any song to sing!
6. Who's your baby?
Imaginative play . . . at bedtime? Yep! Ask your child to choose a “baby” (favorite doll or stuffed animal) to sing and rock to sleep as part of bedtime. Once “baby” is snug and asleep, repeat the ritual—with your child!
7. Turn any song into a lullaby
Transform a song you love—even if it’s not technically a children’s song—into a lullaby by singing it softly and slowly. Drop the words the second time through, singing “loo-loo” or humming it, and watch those little eyes close! Keep the lullaby routine going, too, as they get older. They will remember those special lullaby moments even when they’re grown!
Even for older kids, music is magic. It connects us, inspires us, heals us, brings us joy, and is an amazing learning tool! As you spend time learning and growing together with your children, remember to integrate music into your days. Enjoy utilizing these musical parenting hacks and bringing joy and connection to your family.
Erin is a homeschooling mom of three and is, also, the director of Riverside Music Together located in Wichita, Kansas. Riverside Music Together offers research-based family music and movement classes for babies through age 8, including Mixed-Ages, Babies, Music Together con Español (bilingual Spanish class), and Rhythm Kids (a world music, movement, and drumming class) for 5-8 year olds. They currently offer both small, in-person Outdoor classes, as well as interactive Zoom classes. You can find more information on their website at www.RiversideMusicTogether.com. 
