Everyday Songbook: Book & 2 CDs

Joyful and unpretentious. These songs celebrate the ordinary moments of childhood: getting dressed, eating snacks, playing games. The melodies are bright and singable, the rhythms are clear and satisfying, and humor runs through many of the pieces. You'll find yourself and the children naturally moving and smiling.

Classroom teachers, music specialists, nursery staff, and parents who work with young children and want ready-to-use songs that require no musical training. This collection works equally well for mixed-ability groups since the melodies are straightforward and the CDs handle the musical heavy lifting.

• Play the demonstration track once or twice before teaching the melody, letting children absorb the tune and rhythm naturally before attempting to sing.
• Introduce the actions gradually, starting with a few key gestures that match the song's lyrics rather than trying to layer everything at once.
• Encourage children to create their own actions or variations once they know the basic song, turning repetition into creative exploration.
• Use the backing tracks for performances or celebrations, but leave space for children's voices to be heard clearly rather than burying the singing in accompaniment.

Weave individual songs throughout the school year as movement breaks, circle time anchors, or celebration openers rather than reserving them for formal performances. A few songs grouped together make an engaging assembly or parent event, especially when children demonstrate the actions and percussion parts they've learned.

• Singing in unison and with rhythmic accuracy
• Following multi-step directions through song and movement
• Coordination of voice, movement, and optional percussion simultaneously
• Memory and recall of lyrics and associated actions
• Response to musical cues and beat awareness