‘Sing to me’ encourages parents to enjoy singing with their pēpi. Children are attracted to repetition, rhythm and rhyme, and enjoy having songs and music shared with them.

The Tākai baby wall frieze picture ‘Sing to me’ encourages whānau to enjoy singing with their pēpi. There’s so much value for children in having songs and music shared with them. Children are attracted to the repetition, rhythm and rhyme, and they learn best when they’re interested.

We can all sing

Some parents might feel shy about singing, but a toddler doesn’t care and will enjoy almost anything parents sing to them — whatever they sound like!

Parents could try singing:

  • songs they know
  • kids’ songs
  • adult songs
  • silly songs
  • sad songs
  • songs in whatever language they like.

They can make songs up too, and just sing about what they’re doing with their child. For example, “Now it’s time to have some lunch”. A toddler is a great audience.

Try an action song

In Whakatipu Te Pihinga 3, look at the action song in te reo Māori (page 13) with whānau. Whānau might know it in English, too.

Shall we have a go at singing this song? It’s known as the ‘Hokey pokey’, or ‘Hokey tokey’, or ‘Hokey cokey’! The actions are simple and you can make up your own version:

“You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out
You put your right foot in, and you shake it all about
You do the hokey tokey, and you turn yourself around
And that’s what it’s all about!”

Help whānau to encourage their toddler to copy the actions. It won’t take long before they get it.

Find more waiata kōhungahunga – songs and rhymes

Conversation ideas

What sort of music do you enjoy?
What sort of music does your whānau enjoy?
What about your toddler?
Do they like singing or playing music with others?
Who sings with them?

Helpful resources for whānau