Music for Toddlers

Jazz for Kids is a really good CD for toddlers. My 4 year old son loves it and I do too. It's jazzy with catchy tunes. You can get it from the library.

My daughters and my niece LOVE Ralph's World; I think the CD is called "Welcome to Ralph's World" or something like that. His name is Ralph Covert. It actually comes with a DVD so we watch the DVD at home and dance around the house and we play the CD in the car. It is so much fun! I even love the songs! They are so catchy and really wholesome fun!

My son loves:
Raffi (as in really, really loves... will calm him down when he's having a toddler meltdown)
Bob Marley
Perez Prado
Louis Jordan
Toots & the Maytals
any bluegrass music

We love Laurie Berkner at our house. I even listen to her when the kids aren't around. She is cute and catchy without being obnoxious.

Ziggy Marley has a childrens CD out.
We have Childrens CD's by: Jack Johnson, the Curious George soundtrack.
Johnny Cash
The Beetles
Peter, Paul and Mary
John Denver
The Barenaked Ladies
Jewell

We're on our way to Cuy. Falls for Thanksgiving. Please hold the snow until we are gone. Can't wait for some Swenson's.

We enjoy Lunch Money's music. They're a great kids' band that parents can enjoy too.

I have tons of CD's for my car for kids, my 6 year old still loves them! I would pick them up at the end caps at Walgreens or in the kids section at Walmart. Nothing particular in name. Just looked at the backs with the songs on them and tried to guess which ones were best. Some were better than others just in the beat--I was amazed how SLOW and low beat some regular good old songs could be. I started when he was about 1 and now have about 10 we rotate through when we get too tired of the same song. My CD changer goes through 6 at a time so it works out. The other place I have found CD's but don't think they are that cheap, is Factory Card Outlet. The CD's with songs on them for parties are cool. They are easy to dance to in the house and are typically just those toddler age songs like ring around the rosie and head shoulders knees and toes. SOO MANY out there!

My kids (age 18 months and 4) really like Justin Roberts CDs. They also enjoy Laurie Berkner. They are fun and even adults can enjoy them!

'Songs for traveling' by twin sisters. Also the Disney's 'Children's favorite songs' volume 1-4 is what I like best. They are classic childrens songs, something that I would have heard growing up and I'm 33. Try your local library's children's department. They should have a large selection of childrens music. You can see what you like before you spend money on it. Good luck.

Go to the library and check some out. I love all of the Putumayo cds. I think the library is a great resource to find out what you want to buy. Raffi is good too and kids love him.

C.,

My kids love Laurie Berkner. The songs are catchy and suprizingly not irritating to the adult ear. Especially if you have to hear them over and over again.

The Ziggy Marley children's CD is cool, too.

A great one for the kids' bedside table when they're sleepy: Innocence Mission 'Now the Day is Over'.

Good luck,
J.

Hi C.,

Some suggestions--

Raffi

Wee Sing

Ella Jenkins (I had albums of hers that I used to use for kindergarteners when I taught music; some of them have kids' voices singing along--neat!)

Hap Palmer--also used these; he had some songs that focused on holidays and others that were more general; "Witches'Brew" was a favorite with the kids, and we'd "re-create" the brew with various snack ingredients

"Grandma Slid Down the Mountain" by Cathy Fink. This used to be available through Rounder Records, don't know if it still is. Great tunes, some songs teach something (e.g "Brush your Teeth"), others are just fun (e.g the title track). I really like this one, it's just so cute!

You might also consider getting a recording of Paul Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". This is the music used in the Disney cartoon of the same name (Mickey casts a spell on the broom so it will fetch water; it gets too much, he chops it apart and all the pieces begin fetching water). They might remember it from the cartoon and enjoy hearing it on its own.

Another possibility is "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens. You can get a version with narration where it tells which animal is being musically depicted. This and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" should be readily available to borrow from the library to see if you'd like to eventually buy it.

Peter and The Wolf

Tubby the Tuba--my kids enjoyed the video, don't know if the music is available alone.

When my oldest turned 3, a friend gave him a cassette tape with songs that used his name. There were other songs besides birthday songs on it. You could order a tape with any kid's name; don't know where it came from, and unfortunately have lost touch with the friend! This tape was a favorite on long car trips.

When my now 15 yo son was in elementary school, he liked listening to Sousa marches and Holst's "The Planets" (especially Mars--loud and brassy; the quieter ones didn't do much for him).

Have they watched either Fantasia movie? Did they like it/them? Which sections did they like? get the music for those sections.

What do you like to listen to? Introduce them to that (assuming it's child-appropriate of course). If they like it, that's something to throw in to your "rotation".

Good luck as you begin your musical journey! May it be long and pleasurable!

K. Z.

Hi C.,

I am a huge fan of Greg and Steve. There is also Raffi. Laurie Berkner is good.

You can find Greg & Steve, Raffi, and a bunch of other CD's at Lakeshore Learning, www.lakeshorelearning.com. These would be good for your 15 month old as well as your 4 year old.

One thing that I did was go to my local library's website and look up the music cd's they had available for checkout. I checked some out and brought them home to listen to with my kids to see which ones they like and that I could live with. This also let me keep a revolving group of music cd's available for my kids.

Hope this helps,

L. C.

They Might Be Giants!!!
Words cannot express how much I adore them!
They are intelligent men who make music that spans many different genres.
A few years ago they started making music for kids and doing special concerts just for kids, too.

My 9 year old has loved them for years (before the kid-oriented cds) and now my 2 year old will ask for "giants" too.
"No!" was their first kids' cd and still my favorite. They've since released "Here Come the ABCs" and "Here Come the 123s". And also a book called "Bed Bed Bed" that has a cd with the songs for all four stories.

I really hope you and your children like them!

My husband and I feel the same way about the Wiggles! :) There is a show on Disney called Imagination Movers which our 2 1/2 year old loves! They also have music CDs. The lyrics are geared toward kids but the music is tolerable for parents too. You might give it a try!

"Children's Songs" by Susie Tallman & friends is fantastic - easy on grown up ears, too! kids sing on the album, which my daughter loves - great versions of standard kids songs...

All of Dan Zanes & friends (especially rocketship beach & family dance) - he's totaly adult-friendly & has great "friends" like natalie merchant, paul simon, etc...

Fisher Price Little People - the halloween discs are SUPER fun...but you can't listen all the time! great dancing music, though!!

ziggy marley "family time:

thanks for posting, i am looking for new suggestions as well, this is great!

I don't know what kind of music you and your husband listen to, but my son listens to everything I do (minus some things that may not be appropriate). I've only purchased two acutal kid's CDs in the past (B is for Bob by Bob Marley and Not for Kids Only by Jerry Garcia). He loves them both, but usually requests the Bob Marley one. I don't know if I could ever handle some of that kid's music for even a short period of time. There is PLENTY of great music out there that is appropriate for kids and adults. I love all types of music, from Sinatra to Common. And all of it is on my computer. How about making a mix CD with a variety of songs for the car? My son loves listening to Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, Led Zeppelin...all of which make most music without profanity. Good luck with whatever choice you make! :)

I love the Curious George soundtrack by Jack Johnson and Friends. My son loved it from the time he was 2 and still loves it. He is 5 and my daughter is 21 months. They both sing along and I never get tired of hearing it myself.

My partner and I love music and want to instill that appreciation in our daughter too. Traditional "toddler music" can get a little....well, annoying. So we've tried a few of these CDs/Musicians and found some that we absolutely loved (even a goldie oldie!)

They Might Be Giants: "Here Come the ABCs" and "No!"
Ziggy Marley and Friends: "Family Time"
Jack Johnson's Soundtrack for the movie "Curious George"
Bare Naked Ladies: "Snack Time"
Rockabye Baby Lullaby Collection (Lullaby versions of contemporary and classic rock bands)
Raffi---anything by Raffi she loves!

We also just play her the music we like to listen to ourselves, especially The Dave Matthews Band. But we are careful to make sure the lyrics aren't something we aren't willing to have her repeat. : )

Have you heard of The Music Class? It is a music class for little ones and it comes with a great CD, my boys have loved it. Check online.

You may have to look online as short supply in stores, except for Raffi and Barney. My favorite is Laurie Berkner - saw her on Nick for kids - I have her 5 cds - lots of fun, action songs to do with toddlers.

Justin Roberts is my favorite! His songs are for kids, but they are normal sounding pop/rock songs.
Other good ones are Dan Zanes (i think his name is) & Laurie Berkner (i'm not sure of the spellings - i don't have them, but i've heard some of their stuff.

Good luck!

My kids love Ralph's World and Dan Zane - My husband and I actually like them as well as they have great original songs but are not annoying. It is definitely our favorite.

Good Luck!!
K. O

Hello!
My kids also like the Raffi CDs. We get them a lot at the library so we can listen to them until they get tired of them and then get a new one! Hope this helps!

My sons love this CD:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/salidor6

You can download a few songs, all the songs, or go buy the CD. It's a really fun album:)

We love the Go Fish Guys (www.gofishguys.com). Not your run of the mill kids music and usually have free shipping.

A top selling CD for 25 years now in Discovery Toys is the Sounds Like Fun CD which is very popular for the alphabet song and others in the hour long CD. It is very soothing and great for quiet playtime or naptime.

Another very popular one in the Bilingual CD with Spanish and English phrases interwoven with each other and great upbeat Latin music my daughter dances in her carseat too!

Check out www.toyladyjanet.com for more info or to order!

I am a children's librarian and have used a lot of CDs in my storytimes. I like Laurie Berkner (Whaddya Think of That is my fav) Jim Gill (awesome!) Mother Goose Rocks and Ralphs World by Ralph Covert. They are all fun!

These have been around for a LONG time, but CDs by RAFFI.

Have you ever heard of Steven Courtney? Kind of along the lines of Raffi, but not as annoying in my opinion!
I also like playing a lot of music that is not specific for kids - like any reggae or acoustic music seems to be popular.
happy shopping!

Hi C.,
I've got the answer...if you like good barbershop music (4-part harmony). Go to www.maxquartet.com and click on "For the Children". Max Q is an International Champion quartet from the men's barbershop society. It's a two disc set...one with daytime songs and one with nighttime songs. You can preview the music on their website before you purchase anything. I can guarantee this is one CD you will love just as much as your children...I listen to it when the kids aren't around!! My daughter's favorite is "Old MacDonald"...the men in the quartet had their own children record the animal sounds for the song. Hope you like it!
D.

My kids like They Might Be Giants. I think they have several childrens CD's, funny and creative songs that make the kids laugh. We also like a series called "For the Kids" by various artists of common and original kids songs.

We take Music Together classes, which is different than Kindermusik - this is more musical. I believe they have CD's you can purchase online.
http://store.musictogether.com/index.php

If you are someone who teaches from the bible there is a cd that my daughter and I BOTH loved. It's called '20 Bible Verses Every Child Should Know'. It is 20 popular bible versus set to music and put into song. It comes with a book that has a story to go with every verse too. You can get it at Amazon for 15$ http://www.amazon.com/Bible-Verses-Should-Heritage-Builde...
I don't know if this would be something you would go for but we really loved it, burned the cd out lol.

Go to Kindeermusik.com Music and instruments for babies through age seven

Click SHOP
Look under all the menu items, especially Do-Re-Me & You,
and the Sale and clearance items.
There are even music downloads for your ipod.

I see you are in Cuy. Falls, OH
Search your zip code for the nearest Kindermusik Stdio in your area for their outstanding music and movement learning programs.
Good luck.

My children are 2, 5, and 6, and we've found lots of great CDs that we enjoy. (Some are more annoying than others, and I can only tolerate them for short periods, but it's still worth it occasionally if it keeps them happy in the car. ;-) )

One of our favorites that I didn't see mentioned here was JIM GILL. He has several CDs with lots of fun and silly songs on them. Some are sweet and slow as well. The kids (and I) love him!

We also like...
Raffi
Barenaked Ladies children's CD
Ziggy Marley's "B is for Bob"
Laurie Berkner
Ella Jenkins
a rock-n-roll CD for kids (has the original versions of things like "Yakity Yak," "The Name Game," "Rockin' Robin," etc. on it)

The kids like the Wee Sing and another set of nursery rhyme CDs that we have, but those wear on my nerves after a while.

Check your library for lots more suggestions!

Imagination Movers! Not nearly as annoying as the Wiggles. My kids also like the Little People CDs - there are a bunch of them. The Halloween one is a favorite. They sing more traditional kid songs like Wheels on the Bunch, Little Red Wagon, etc. My kids also like Laurie Berkner.

Mostly, though, my kids like classic rock. That's what we listen to in the car. My 2 year old tries to sing along to many of the songs and they all dance around in their carseats/booster seats.