I'm looking for a cd of fun kids' music which I can learn to sing to my 3 month old. I already have a great lullaby cd; I'm looking for something for the daytime. Any suggestions? I'd prefer something in an alto range. ;-) Thanks!
-R.
Dan Zanes is great too - my kids love him and my husband and I enjoy it too! We saw him in concert at the Strathmore last year and are going again in the Spring. Definitely not the typical annoying kids music (I can only take so much of that!).
We like Baby Einstein's Play Date CD--great in the car, too!
Pretty much anything by Raffi! You'll love Down by the Bay!
We're Laurie Berkner fans around here and have most of her CDs and the newer DVD. She does a mix of traditional and original music. I also play some "grown up" stuff, like The Best of John Lee Hooker. The kids love the beat and think the "Haw haw haw, hee hee hee" and so on are fun. The old blues artists are pretty safe considering the censors back in the day. The Beatles are a safe bet too. "Choo Choo Boogaloo" by Buckwheat Zydeco is also played here. It's another kid's CD, and has narrative between the songs that I find annoying, but the kids like ok.
Don't know about alto, but Hap Palmer has wonderful CDs with songs you can use up to Kindergarten age. There are also videos entitled "Baby Songs" which are adorable and address all kinds of child issues like using the potty and "My Mommy Comes Back". Our family used them and loved them!
My kids like the tapes/dvd's that Fisher Price makes. They are fun and upbeat. Give one of theirs a try. You can find them at Walmart in the baby section.
Our family LOVES Ralph's World! Here's the link: http://www.ralphsworld.com/ It's music that both kids and adults enjoy. Not sure about the range but the songs don't get on our nerves even after hearing them a hundred times.
As a board certified music therapist I would first say--just singing to your baby is great!!! Don't worry about the quality of your voice or your musical ability...that doesnt matter. Just interacting musically with your child is what is important now. Some good suggestions for music have already been made. Most any store that sells CDs will have a "kids" music section. Sing along CDs can be a lot of fun. A lot of places will let you listen before you buy too. Pick music that you like and what your child seems to respond positively to. Watch for phsycal responses to the music and adust accordingly. Remember there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Watch for when your baby is getting tired or over stimulated. Also, lullabies and soft music can be good to induce relaxation and encourage sleep, but always make sure the music eventually turns off for the bulk of sleeping time. Don't have music playing all night (or nap) long. This is true for children and adults too. Enjoy and have fun!
Not sure if this will help but we sing:
Twinklw Twinkle Little Star
Itsy Bitsy Spider
The "I Love You" Barney Song
It's a Small World
Seasame Street Theme Song
-L.
have you looked at the putamayo kids' cd's? they have some pleasant children's music from around the world. MUCH nicer to listen to and sing along with than the typical "kiddie" music, which can start to sound like the soundtrack to hell after a bit.
"Here Come the ABC's" by: They Might Be Giants
and
Leap Frog Baby
Hi R.-
I have no clue as to the range of the music, but I have some pretty nice (and new) songs for infants & children. I got them along with my signing times DVDs for my 22 month old twin boys.. if you are in the Essex area, drop me a note & maybe we can swap ideas!
Carri
