Educational researchers are continuing to discover more and more links between music and the way we learn. This is especially true in the case of school-aged children. Music stimulates our memory receptors, activating the left and right sides of the brain simultaneously, resulting in an increase in the brain’s ability to retain information. So, with this in mind, we’ve compiled a playlist of the best CDs out there that cover a dancefloor of ecological themes to help your early learners put on their Green Dancing Shoes!
1) I’m An Animal: Songs of Earth as Animals See It – by Sarah Weeks
With great sing-alongs such as ‘Crocodile Smile’, ‘Take It Slow’ and ‘Pretty Tree’, Sarah Weeks delivers delicate harmonies with a light and easy atmosphere; perfect for background music in your playroom. The songs have been written to help your child’s imagination roam into the realms of wildlife and begin to see the world how an animal might see its habitat. The album as a whole sounds like it could be made for adults – so it wont grate on your nerves after the first listen. This child-friendly CD will excite any animal loving kid with environmentally aware lyrics that will work their magic in an enjoyable setting.
2)Birds, Beasts, Bugs & Fishes Little & Big: Animal Folk Songs – by Pete Seeger
To carry on with the theme of animals, here’s an old folk favourite. Pete Seeger sings his way through 28 folk songs about the animal kingdom, complete with Seeger’s own addition of animal noises that will really stir your child’s interaction. ‘Raccoon’s Got a Bushy Tail’, ‘Mister Rabbit’ and ‘The Foolish Frog’ are some of the favourites. Again, this is another adult-friendly listen, so leave it on through the day and get your kids to echo back some of Seeger’s humorous impressions, or even better, his iconic folk familiars.
3) Music Of The Thirteen Moons – by Chris Kubie
A musical interpretation of the books written by Jean Craighead George (which cover environmental themes large and small). Based on the Native American calendar, The Thirteen Moons has been transformed into thirteen instrumental pieces, one for each animal in the series, by Chris Kubie with beautiful clarity. Each animal has been given its own tempo, rhythms and instruments, in order to best translate the feeling and mood of the animal within its ecosystem. This is perhaps a compilation for more sensitive listeners with an ear for emotion. I wonderful collection from start to finish.
4) Mother Earth – by Tom Chapin
Folk, Jazz, Jive and Classical, Chapin has covered a wide range of listening-stations to help tune your child’s ear to the voices of Mother Earth. With songs like ‘Mother Earth’s Routine’, ‘Wheel of the Water’ and ‘Picnic of the World’, Chapin’s musical style is fun, lively and informative. His witty songs and clear ditties are a great way to spark a more creative day of playtime. It’s a great way to encourage children to think about the world around them whilst still having fun with the songs themselves. This album will also, no doubt, get the thumbs-up approval from both parents and children alike.
5) Put on Your Green Shoes – Various artists including Indigo Girls, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Tom Chopin and more
A diverse mix of collaborating recording artists that you’ll recognise and surely enjoy. This is an absolute hit: 14 songs from singers like Olivia Newton-John, Tom Paxton and Willie Nelson. Learning to love the world around us has been made fun, enjoyable and encouraging. The themes are reaching, diverse and easy to sing-a-long and learn with.
