Young children simply delight in music and songs. It may come across as humming while they are putting their toys away or whistling just for the pure joy of trying to make music to express their delightful happy childhood hearts.

Even babies are very aware and sensitive to the rhythm, intonation and tempo of music. Studies have shown that infants can discriminate between musical styles. For early childcare givers and mothers and daddies to rock and sing to their babies is actually teaching them a lesson.

When teaching toddlers, I learned quickly that they are great imitators. Toddlers love to hear songs that involve motions with their hands and feet. Toddlers are not concerned about pitch or the right key, they enjoy music just for music.

Playing music in your home or car is thoroughly enjoyed by your young child. Music can definitely set the mood for a happy day. Point out to your young child how animals love to sing. The chirping of birds and crickets, croaking of frogs as well as sea gulls squawking along our Eastern Shore bays are good examples that a young child can listen to and understand. While on a picnic or taking a walk tell your little-ones to note what they hear as singing in the world all around them. You might be surprised at what their little ears pick up.

Simple familiar tunes such as “Twinkle, Twinkle little Star,” “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” etc. involve young children in the words and activities of the songs. Simple songs help in the language-arts area of comprehension, the physical domain of coordination in expressing the motions to the songs, as well as math in keeping the tempo and rhythm. Try singing out instructions to your young child, for example in cleaning up their rooms, “Whistle While you Work”!

Homemade instruments with paper plates, beans, rice, pots, pans, spoons, empty boxes, etc. can add to music around your home. Children love to make their own instruments and what a motivation for using the imagination.

There are so many ways for you as a parent to share the gift of music with your children. It embeds in their memories and hearts a joy that they will remember all their lives.

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.