I've already established that I cannot draw. But here's another secret. I also cannot sing. Or play an instrument. Or really even keep a beat. However, I love music. And one of my goals has always been to bequeath some sort of level of musical adoration to my kids. Because musical preference says a lot about a person. And I'll be damned if any people who come from my DNA are going to listen to auditory swill. I mean, think of how that would reflect on me. (She said with sarcasm. Mostly.)
So when I was pregnant with Kid A, I initiated "Sunday morning jams." (Forgive me. It was the best name I could come up with in my sleepy, impregnated state). In addition to being a great excuse to not roll myself out of bed for a few extra hours, it was my way of introducing him to good music in utero. In doing so, I figured I'd plant the musical seed and eventually he'd grow into a beautiful flower who understands that "good" is not limited to what's current or popular. Rather, it's a personal preference that's cultivated from well-rounded experiences with all sorts of different styles and genres.
Was I reaching? Of course I was. But it still rocked.
I'd play a song on my iPad and hold it close so he could "hear" it. We started with the obvious classics (Led Zeppelin, the Stones, The Beatles) then some of my then (and now) faves (Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Dr. dog). Eventually I threw in some 70's soft rock because Sundown is a damn good song as well as some 80's because Hall & Oates. Even the then current pop tarts made it into my repertoire (totally not afraid to say this included T. Swift and Meghan Trainor.) It was a healthy mix. And if he happened to pound on my insides with a tiny fist or foot, I'd take it as a sign that he liked where I was going.
I think it worked. Because this kid is all about music—he makes requests daily. While his all time favorite album is currently an age appropriate tossup between Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: Original Songs from the Motion Picture and Disney's Moana soundtrack, he also quite enjoys John Denver's Country Roads and Kenny Loggins' Footloose. Mr. Roboto recently made it into our weekly lineup and I have to say, I don't hate it. And while I'm sad to say that so far, he takes after his mother in that he has about as much as natural grace as Ed Grimley, he's somehow managed to develop some killer dance moves to Old Town Road and Gummy Style. (Yes, Gummy Style. The "kid-friendly" version of Gangnam Style. Yes, that Gangnam Style. I do not hold myself responsible.) Sure, he has some, shall we say, musical growth ahead of him, but I feel like he's on the right track. I love what he loves because he loves it.
But now the cray COVID has made me responsible for actually teaching music at home via the ever popular Seesaw learning app and my love has been drowned out by the din of distance learning. Reading and math? These are subjects that I can at least try to navigate down the virtual path. But music? Eh, not so much. I din't really enjoy elementary music class 35 years ago aaand not much has changed now. Because without saying anything disparaging about his music teacher, who is doing an awesome job, there’s only so much of Down by the Bay one person can actually take. So I find myself again taking musical matters into my own untalented hands by bringing back a little of that Sunday morning jams vibe, visual style. Yes, it's time to do something that would get me banned in most hardcore mom groups: I'm relying on YouTube to teach my son. Ok, let me rephrase that: I'm enlisting real life musicians to help keep my little musical flower growing. Aw, fuck it. I'm letting my kid watch music videos.
My playlist begins with the five following music videos not only because they're good, but because they're kid appropriate (mostly) yet don't make me want to gouge out my ear drums or eyeballs. They may even teach him something extra in the process. And they're way, way better than listening to me try to sing. Give 'em a peek—maybe they'll appeal to your little musical flower too. If nothing else, it might buy you an hour this week. 🎧
I think it's literally humanly impossible to hate this video. (I've personally loved it since I myself was 5.) And if you've got a kid who loves comic books, action and/or "bad guys," this is definitely the one for you. Throw in a musical “word of the day" and consider your literacy lesson learned too. (Children, can you say, falsetto?)
I was a little iffy on this one because it could sway more toward the scary/weird side, but then again, so can I. Do you know what else can be scary/weird? The visual arts. Two birds, one stone.
Odd dance moves, poor fashion choices, a clear disregard of social norms. I mean, this is a prime example of adults acting like children. Real children will love it. For a physical education credit, create your own rendition by jumping around the house like a lunatic for a minute. THAT shouldn’t be too difficult. (For fun, also see Weapon of Choice.)
The dancing, the dancing, the dancing. Plus, a positive message to boot. Social studies? Check.
5. Pretty much anything by OK Go will do the trick, but I particularly like This to Shall Pass. You could even work in a lesson about physics...or something? (The sciences were never my strong suit.) I also highly approve of Here It Goes Again and as an extra added bonus, The Muppet Show Theme Song because Dr. Teeth.
Happy ears, happy e-learning, homeschoolers.
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