SONGS, RHYMES, and FINGER PLAYS
There’s something so familiar and comforting about traditional children’s songs and nursery rhymes. Even the ones I didn’t grow up with feel this way. To me, it’s such a critical part of childhood on par with playing and imagination and storytelling.
Unfortunately, it feels like many of these songs, rhymes, and finger plays that have been such an integral part of childhood up until now are slowly fading away. I’m always surprised when a minivan with young kids in tow pulls up blaring obnoxious “club” music or even stores that specialize in kid clothes and toys have obscene lyrics and pumping bass lines blasting from their speakers. Childhood is such a precious and pure time, and I am saddened when I see instances like this that tear away at that.
On the other hand, I also hear some kid-centered places choosing saccharine kid voices singing “Wheels on the Bus” on repeat. And, I get it. I get why some parents and places have chosen to go in the far, far opposite direction of this. Because even if my kids should be attracted to these sugary sweet tunes at any point (which they’re not), it would drive me bonkers. And quickly. But, the good news is that there’s a LOT in between these two extremes. And the even better news is that the person your child most wants to hear singing to them is YOU.
I know many adults’ first response to this. While I do appreciate a “good voice” singing a children’s song, when the singer is too formally trained, it just doesn’t seem to fit. These traditional songs weren’t meant to be “performed.” They’re meant for joining in. For imperfect voices and improvised lyrics. For kids to sing along, not with someone coaching them in a studio and not while staring at a screen (although I do have some YouTube-y links below), but with their family, while in the car and while putting on shoes and while curling up to sleep. These song and rhymes are a way to connect with each other and with childhoods of generations past.
I often want to go overboard researcher with these and find out the history of each song and rhyme and then find ways to connect it with stories we love, etc. I sometimes get caught up in getting the lyrics “just right” to stay true to the song. But none of this is what these folk songs and nursery rhymes are about. They’re about taking something and making it yours. Singing them or reciting them when they pop into your head. Having fun with them. Loving them, shaping them, sharing them, and letting them take on a life of their own.
I’ve thought a lot about sharing a YouTube or Podcast with some of these, mostly for parents and mostly for ease of listening, rather than reading through information. But I’ll start here and see where this takes me. I also see that many, MANY wonderful and talented people have already done much of this. So, instead I hope to collect some of my favorites and link to them here for my reference and yours.
Whether you’re a parent, an educator, an auntie or uncle, or just someone who sometimes finds yourself around a friend’s kids, these are so much fun and such a great way to connect. Hope you enjoy some of these as much as I do!
Links to some great resources for Songs, Rhymes, and/or Finger Plays