Creative Therapy Adelaide’s team of music therapists and speech pathologists have teamed up to share practical ways that singing can support children’s communication, language development and help you connect with your child.
Sing to Build Vocabulary
Songs naturally introduce new words in a fun and engaging way. Repetitive lyrics, like “This is the way we wash our hands, wash our hands, wash our hands…” help children learn new words through daily activities. Singing about things they see and do regularly builds their understanding of language in a meaningful way.
Use Familiar Songs to Learn Turn-Taking
Using a familiar song your child knows and leaving a space for them to finish a phrase can be an excellent way to help build language, vocabulary and confidence. For example, singing “Hickory, Dickory…[Pause]” and waiting for your child to sing “dock!” Then you sing “The mouse ran up the…[Pause]” and wait for your child to say “clock!” This encourages listening, waiting, and responding, which are key skills for conversations. Using familiar songs in this way also helps children engage in shared play and interaction, making communication fun and social.
Support Speech Clarity Through Singing
Singing slows down words and exaggerates sounds, making it easier for children to practice tricky speech sounds. Songs like “The Wheels on the Bus go Round and Round!” support articulation while teaching concepts—such as the wheels going round—which can be complemented by actions like motioning with arms and hands. Singing also helps with breath control and pacing, which are essential for clear speech.
Use Melody to Boost Memory and Daily Routines
Music helps children remember sequences of events, which is especially useful for daily routines. Singing about brushing teeth, getting dressed, or packing a bag can provide structure and predictability, helping children follow multi-step tasks more easily. For example, a simple song like “Shoes on, hat on, time to go!” can make transitions smoother while adding colour and familiarity to family routines—something your child may fondly remember even into adulthood and use with their own children!
Use Singing to Strengthen Connection and Engagement
Singing with your child is a way to connect emotionally and build closeness. Whether through a lullaby, a favourite nursery rhyme, or a silly made-up tune, research shows that singing with your child helps build strong emotional bonds. Music activates areas of the brain responsible for social connection, making it a wonderful tool for relationship building. Singing face-to-face with shared eye contact also encourages interaction, attention and can help your child to match you, helping them to regulate their own emotions.
At Creative Therapy Adelaide, music therapists and speech pathologists use these strategies daily to help children connect, communicate and grow through music.
Find a PDF of these practical tips Here: Creative Therapy Singing Tips