Jingle Bell Songs that Bring Joy and Kindness!

For those new to my blog, I’m an advocate for early childhood education because the human brain develops the most from 0-6 years old. Whatever children experience during this window of time makes a huge impact on their lives. At the same time, I know life (and the world) happens, and we can’t always protect our children from everything. That’s okay! There are still going to be so many opportunities to help our kids. The more we care for them throughout their entire development, the more they’ll be able to care for their children- and for our world! 

(I also want to say at this time that I am a genuine person and not AI. This blog is older than AI, and so am I! [Insert plug for reading my past articles here]. Also I can write good too- haha funny, actually not funny in a horrible, soul crushing way).

I start my blog like this today because I want to address again the impact of stress on families during the holiday season- as a human, parent, and teacher who has experienced this phenomenon many times now. We all want our little ones to experience the magic and joy of the season, but no matter how much support or resources you may have, the “perfect” holiday doesn’t really exist for anyone. 

The added pressure of bringing joy during the holidays may push us past our limits at times. This pressure is added on to the additional stresses we feel with the colder weather and shorter hours of daylight- and possibly more sugary treats and less playtime for your little ones outdoors. The result is everyone ends up cranky! You are not the only one.

So- what can we do about this? Try singing! By using your familiar voice rhymically, your little ones will already have an ear just for you! (Teachers- that sing-song voice you use gets the attention of your young students)! In addition, with its required deeper breathing, science has shown that when we sing, our own stress hormones decrease. If we can sing while our little ones interact with the music by “attuned” listening, with movement, and their own increasing ability to sing, it’s a win-win and everybody will calm down.

It’s likely that this increased stress brought about all of our traditional songs we sing around the holidays. “Ring-a-ting-a-ling” and “Ring Your Bells for Kindness” are new ones I wrote to add to this well of peaceful resources for your family. They are designed to be easy to sing. The bright sound of a jingle bell will also add to changing the mood to one of levity around your house. (Pro tip- make your own jingle bell like the one here with ONE jingle bell attached. That way the sound won’t become too loud and annoying).

1. "Ring-a-ting-a-ling" by Margot Bevington © 2024

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Jingle bell ring

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

We ring and sing

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Kindness and care

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Love everywhere

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Magic and fun

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

Ring-a-ting-a-ling

For everyone

Ring-a-ting-a-ling (4x)

1. "Ring Your Bells for Kindness" by Margot Bevington © 2024

Hear the bells' joyful ring

Ring them while we sing

Jingle bells, fill the air

We bring joy to share

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

It’s our wish to be kind

With our heart and mind

With our song, We bring fun

Love for everyone

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

For all those who might need

Caring friends today

We’ll let love take the lead

As we sing and play

Ring your bells for kindness

For friends who show they care

Ring your bells for empathy

For friendship everywhere

If you are new to my Blog, YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook, please follow, like, and subscribe! I’m revamping all of my resources so would love to connect with you! I also have a new website- Msmargotsmusic.com! Check it out to listen to and purchase my albums or book me to teach, perform, or lead a workshop for teachers!

Early Language Learning- Part I

Last week I mentioned I would write today about young children learning a different language. As I thought about that prospect, however, I realized before I talk specifically about that (more next week), I should talk about language development in general- so here goes! 

Some of my most interesting conversations have been with children ages six and under. And I mean interesting. I had a five year old student who loved to tell me stories, but the events came out in a different order. I've talked to preschoolers about one thing, then it ended up we were talking about two or three other different things. I've had many fairly one sided conversations with toddlers in which children contribute a word or two, maybe some unintelligible sentences- much like talking to oneself, but you kind of think they might be getting some of what you're saying as well. And I've talked a good deal with babies- who you like to think totally understand what you are saying- at least I do!

Studies on language development show that young children acquire language as part of their cognitive and social development. Physical speech development- muscle coordination, etc.- also comes into play. This means that as the brain and body develop, hopefully in an environment where a young child hears and can participate in a lot of language- hearing it socially- a young child learns how to "use their words" and join the conversation. 

A young child's language often develops in fits and starts- growth spurts- so it can be difficult to know for sure if they are developmentally "on track" or not. I had an unusual speech development. (I didn't start talking until I was five, while most babies have their first words at around age one). This was because of a few different things- chronic ear infections, a physical "tongue tie"- but here I am anyway, making music for young children and writing about my experience with them. The bottom line is, young children are built for language development, so even if it seems like they aren't quite there yet, as long as there isn't something else going on (hearing or other physical difference), they will be able to talk with you soon.

The part we can play as parents, caregivers, and teachers is to provide that rich social environment, loaded with opportunities to both hear language socially and to speak it to the best of their ability. As you'll see below, you can do this in all kinds of different ways. Click each subject heading to link to an article to find out a little more if you'd like. 

Talk to your children- Holding an often one-sided conversation can take some imagination and practice, but it's the key to early language development. Just remember your role in the conversation is to encourage speech, not necessarily to judge it. 

Read to your child every day- Make a habit of reading to your child- all the way from infancy to 6 and beyond. I did this every day for my son before bed, and often times throughout the day. The benefits of hearing language in this way prime children to both read and speak later on.

Sing, play music, or attend a live music event- Having had speech issues myself, I know that singing often slows down and evens out the rhythm of language so that it's easier to understand and vocalize. There are also studies on how music stimulates the brain in ways normal speech does not- check it out (click the subject heading to link to an article about this)!

Attend library storytimes- Here's an event where people are attending to live language- from these fascinating things called books! That is, one person is saying something, and other people are making an effort to listen. If this isn't giving young children the opportunity to hone their focus on language in a social setting, I don't know what is. 

TV or not TV?- That is the question. There is a ton of excellent children's programming- rich with language, music, and engaging visuals. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend TV for babies 18 months and younger, however. It recommends watching TV together with children 18 months to 5 years so you can talk about what you are watching. 

Talk to any young child, and you'll discover their perspective pretty quickly, even if their only way to communicate with you yet is to smile, cry, or laugh! It also turns out you can talk "normally" (you don't have to "baby talk" or simplify your language) to young children- although it helps to be direct and expressive. 

I leave you today with a picture of my son (you'll see his baby pictures a lot on my blog). He's pointing at a bird, and he's also telling me it's a bird. (This was one of his first words)! Don't forget, more next week on learning different languages in early childhood!