Making Music a Part of Your Daily Routines

-->

As described above, music can be a great tool as you go through your day with your child.  Consider using music in these moments of your day:

• Wake your child by gently singing their name to a known tune, substituting your child’s name for all of the words in the song.
• Create an iTunes playlist of Getting Ready music, Quiet Time music, and Pretend Play music.
• Sing a specific song each time your child comes to you with a minor injury.  The ritual will help to comfort your child and also help you keep track of how serious the bump or fall was (if you typically get through “This Little Light of Mine” twice for an injury and find yourself singing it five or six times, you’ll know your child needs some extra attention!).
• To ward off boredom in the car, sing songs that allow for new verses (Old McDonald, The Wheels on the Bus, etc).  Create a verse for each family member that reflects a hobby, profession, or special saying (The Aunt Natalies on the bus say “Bring it on!”…The Uncle Jays on the bus say “Fix, fix, fix”…The Daddies on the bus go run, run, run…).
• Include singing in your child’s bedtime ritual and before or after meals.