This collection includes classics, such as "Baa Baa Black Sheep," and "My Dreydel", as well as fun originals like "Brush Your Teeth" or "I Wonder If I'm Growing." One old classic even get's a new twist in, "Old MacDonald Had a Band" where the animals are replaced with different instruments. Some songs are solely Raffi's familiar voice singing simple tunes with plenty or repetition and rhyme in the lyrics, while other have instruments and children singing along, encouraging your little listening to also join right in. The songs range in tempo, even sometimes within the same song, but are generally upbeat. There are only a few slower songs to give your little one - and you - a breather, so be prepared for a steady stream of fun.
Your child will likely know the chorus of each song after one listen, and eagerly begin singing along while dancing and moving about. They can even join in some of the sound effects, such as 'gluggling' like a frog, snapping, humming, and whistling. The beat for the majority of songs is a common 4/4 time and often tapped or snapped out, so children can easily pick up on it and bop their head or wag their hips in time without even realizing it. Some of the songs, like "Five Little Frogs" teach numbers, while other teach healthy and positive messages, such as "The Sharing Song" and "Brush your Teeth." You can also name the instruments as they play so your little one begins associating sounds with the correct instrument. Perhaps you even have a guitar, harmonica, or kazoo at home that they can recreate the sounds on. You can always just dance around the living room, or sing along in the car!
I kept this CD in the car when my niece, Emily, was one year old, and would sometimes play it while we ran errands. I found myself singing along with the songs - full volume - and making crazy voices right along with Raffi. I would sneak peeks at Emily in the rearview mirror at stop lights and she would usually be watching, wide eyed. She was either enjoying the show, or wondering who the crazy woman is driving. I like to think she was just floored by my great voice.
--Audra