Music for Fun!: Student Edition Book Only

Davidson and McGrath built this curriculum around real songs children will remember and want to sing again, rather than treating early music education as disconnected skill drills. The integration of listening activities, movement, and visual engagement (those punch-out puppets) keeps young students genuinely interested while you're building foundational concepts aligned with national standards.

Playful and purposeful. The songs are genuinely appealing to young ears without talking down to them, and the activities balance listening, singing, and hands-on exploration in ways that feel like play, not lessons. There's breathing room in the design; the 32-page format doesn't overwhelm either teacher or student.

Teachers and music specialists working with children ages 4-8 who want a complete, standards-aligned curriculum that doesn't require extensive music background to deliver effectively. This works equally well in classroom settings, music centers, or small group instruction.

• Sing the featured songs multiple times across lessons so children internalize melodies and lyrics naturally; repetition at this age is not boring, it's how they learn.
• Use the included CD as a model for phrasing and expression, but don't feel bound by it; your own voice and energy matter more to young singers than recording quality.
• Introduce the punch-out puppets early so students look forward to using them during listening activities; having something in hand keeps fidgety learners anchored to the music.

Teach these seven lessons sequentially across a semester or year to establish core listening and singing skills, or draw individual songs and activities into your existing early childhood music block. The color book and puppets make this strong choice for a unit where families attend; young singers beam when they can show parents what they've learned.

• Singing with clear articulation and age-appropriate breath support
• Listening actively and responding to musical choices (tempo, dynamics, instrumentation)
• Moving expressively and synchronizing movement with beat and phrasing
• Understanding basic song form and structure through repetition and contrast
• Developing confidence as performers and ensemble singers