Top Children’s Songs to Help with Speech Development
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
When it comes to helping children with speech development, there are many things that parents and professionals can do. One of the easiest and most fun ways to help is by singing along to children’s songs. Singing is a great way to help improve speech development in children. It helps with rhythm, pronunciation, and vocabulary. There are many different children’s songs that can be helpful in speech development, but here are some of our favorites!
What is the importance of singing to your child?
Singing is a great way to help improve speech development in children. It helps with rhythm, pronunciation, and vocabulary. There are many different children’s songs that can be helpful in speech development! Yet, here are some of our favorites! Research shows that music and singing can positively impact a child’s development. In fact, music has been shown to improve a child’s:
Brain development
When infants are still in the womb, they can begin to develop a musical preference. Studies have shown that newborns prefer the sound of their mother’s voice. They hear the melodies and rhythms while in the womb. Music activates the brain! Children is receptive to learning and improvement in language through music. The brain’s nerve cells known as “neurons” form this type of communication network. Information is transferred and processed by neurons using electrical and chemical impulses. Music stimulates these neurons. It engages many areas of the brain, resulting in greater synaptogenesis. As a result, musical training is similar to physical exercise for the brain. This is critical for learning, attention, memory, and language acquisition. Music also causes the brain to release chemicals! It is called “dopamine,” which promote happiness – and happy minds make better learners!
Learn how to use music as a tool for speech therapy
Language skills
Singing can help children learn new words and improve their pronunciation. A study of 2-year-olds found that those who participated in singing activities knew more words than those who did not. Besides, singing can help children with language delays or disorders. It improves their ability to produce words after listening to new nursery rhymes!
It can also improve a child’s ability to understand and follow directions. Songs such as Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes can teach your child to follow simple commands. They will start following commands and understand their body parts.
Cognitive skills
Music can also help improve a child’s cognitive skills! This includes memory, attention, and processing speed. Music can build memory for kids because it activates both sides of the brain at once. This is due to the fact that music engages the auditory, visual, and motor cortexes all at once. When these three areas are engaged, it creates what is known as a "memory palace." This palace is then stored in your long-term memory. It makes it easier to access and recall later on. Singing can also help improve a child’s attention span, especially with kids with a delay.
Emotional skills
Music can also help children develop their emotional skills. Music can encourage emotional development. It can help children to understand and express emotions. It can aslo develop empathy for others. Singing can also help reduce stress and anxiety in children. Music can change a child's mood. With the beat of the music, children loves to groove and forget their worries away! So, as you can see, singing is a great way to help improve speech development in children! If you’re looking for some great songs to sing with your child, check out our list of favorites below.
Social skills
Singing can help children interact with others and develop social skills. Music can improve social skills. It can help children to develop communication and collaboration skills. It can also improve social and emotional intelligence. Singing can also help children bond with their caregivers. While singing songs, children learn to take turns, follow rules, and share. These are important social skills that they can carry with them into adulthood.
Top Classic Children’s Song
Singing is also a great way for parents and caregivers to bond with their child. As you sing together, you are providing your child with a warm and nurturing experience. This positive experience can help your child feel secure and loved. This is important for healthy development. Using homemade musical instruments is also a great way to bond with your child while they learn about rhythm and melody. So, what are you waiting for? Start singing today! If you’re looking for some great songs to sing with your child, check out our list of favorites below.
1. You Are My Sunshine
This classic children’s song is a great way to start the day. Its positive and upbeat message will help your child feel happy and loved. Singing this song at bedtime will help your child feel your warm love.
2. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
This timeless classic is perfect for bedtime. Its soothing melody will help your child relax and fall asleep. It can also help them learn new words such as star, twinkle, and sky. While singing to your child, it is also recommended to use actions. It helps them understand the words better!
3. Row Row Row Your Boat
This fun and energetic song is perfect for playful moments with your child. It will help them burn off some energy and have a blast doing it! The word repetition also helps your child learn new vocabulary faster!
4. The Wheels on the Bus
This classic children’s song is perfect for car rides or anytime you need your child to sit still and be quiet. It will help them stay focused and entertained. Each action has its corresponding gesture. This way, your child can understand and follow the song easily!
5. Old MacDonald Had a Farm
This classic nursery rhyme is perfect for animal lovers. It's a fun and repetitive nature that will help your child learn and remember the animals and their animal sound. It is better if you have animal manipulatives or pictures to go along with it!
6. BINGO
This classic game song is perfect for helping your child learn numbers and letters. They will have so much fun singing along, that they won’t even realize they’re learning! Singing this classic children’s song with homemade musical instruments can also be a fun activity for the whole family!
7. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
This fun classic children’s song is perfect for getting your child up and moving. It’s a great way to teach body parts and help your child develop gross motor skills.
Characteristics of a Good Song for Speech Development
When choosing a song to sing with your child, there are a few things to keep in mind. Look for songs that are:
1. Positive and upbeat
Choose songs with positive and upbeat messages to help your child feel happy and loved. It also engages them to move their body which is great for gross motor development!
2. Soothing and calming
For bedtime or when your child needs to calm down, choose songs with soothing melodies. It will somehow give them comfort knowing that you are there with them.
3. Fun and energetic
For playful moments, choose fun and energetic songs that will help your child burn off some energy. Children enjoy dancing and singing. So, make sure to choose songs that they will enjoy!
4. Repetitive
Songs that are repetitive are great for helping your child learn and remember the words. Choose songs with simple lyrics that are easy to remember. Children learn new vocabulary through repetition.
5. Interactive
Songs that are interactive are great for helping your child develop social skills. This involve movement or playing instruments. You can even use homemade musical instruments such as shakers, drums, or maracas!
Now that you know what to look for in a good song, it’s time to start singing! So, what are you waiting for? Start singing today! Your child will love it and you might just have a blast too!
Music in speech therapy
Singing can be a great way to help children with speech disorders. It is found that children who participated in musical activities had improved speech and language skills! It is also found that singing helped children with Down syndrome improve their communication skills. So, if you’re looking for a way to help your child with a language delay, consider singing together. It’s a fun and enjoyable activity that can also have some serious benefits. And, who knows, you might just end up enjoying it too!
In speech therapy, music can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
1. Use songs to teach new vocabulary words
Songs are a great way to introduce new words and concepts to children. They can help with pronunciation and understanding. Studies show that children have a hard time processing language. The right brain hemisphere is recruited to help out. This hemisphere is also responsible for processing music. So, by using songs, you can actually help your child’s brain to better process language.
2. Use songs to practice sentence structure
Songs can be a great way to practice putting words together to form sentences. This is especially helpful for children who are working on expanding their utterances. Songs such as “Old McDonald Had a Farm” or “The Wheels on the Bus” are perfect for this.
3. Use songs to work on articulation skills
Children who are working on improving their articulation skills can enjoy singing. The repetition of lyrics can help them practice producing specific sounds. The rhythm and melody also help them to slow down and think about the production of each sound.
4. Use songs to promote listening skills
Songs can also be used to promote listening skills. This is helpful for children who have difficulty attending to or following directions. Songs such as “When You’re Happy and You Know It” and “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” are perfect for this.
5. Use songs to facilitate social interaction
Singing together can be a great way to promote social interaction. It can help children practice turn-taking and sharing ideas. Homemade musical instruments can also be a good way to create opportunities for social interaction. Singing with the family can bring so much joy to babies and kids learning to talk.
So, there are many ways that music can be used in speech therapy. If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to help your child with their language delay, consider singing together. It’s a great way to bond and you might just end up enjoying it too! At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start using songs to help my child's speech development?
You can start singing to your baby from birth. Even newborns benefit from hearing rhythm, repetition, and the sound patterns of language. Simple nursery rhymes and lullabies lay the groundwork for speech by exposing children to vowel sounds, syllable stress, and turn-taking long before they say their first word.
Which types of songs are most effective for building speech and language skills?
Songs with repetition, predictable rhymes, and clear vowel sounds work best. Think classics like 'Wheels on the Bus,' 'Old MacDonald,' and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.' Action songs that pair movement with words are especially powerful because they connect meaning to language, helping children internalize vocabulary and sentence patterns more quickly.
How do I know if my child's speech delay is serious enough to need professional help?
If your child is not babbling by 12 months, not using single words by 16 months, or not combining two words by age 2, it is worth speaking with a speech-language pathologist. Better Speech offers licensed, insurance-ready care with no waitlists, so you can get a professional evaluation quickly and start support when it matters most.
Can singing songs really replace formal speech therapy for a child who is behind?
Songs are a wonderful supplement to speech development, but they are not a replacement for clinical speech therapy when a child is significantly delayed. Think of music as daily practice that reinforces skills learned in therapy. A licensed speech-language pathologist can assess your child's specific needs and create a targeted plan that songs alone cannot provide.
How can I make singing more interactive to get the most speech benefit for my child?
Pause at predictable moments and wait for your child to fill in the next word. Use exaggerated facial expressions and slow down key words so your child can watch how your mouth moves. Repeat favorite songs often because familiarity gives children the confidence to attempt words and phrases they might otherwise skip.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
