Music can instill positive values in children
By Sarah Earles, MS, LPC, NCC | August 30, 2021
Songs can be a great way to instill positive values in children. Instead of constantly repeating what you want kids to learn, you can let a song do the work. Songs can also be used to create a shared enjoyable experience for the family and contribute to bonding. Need some examples of songs to sing? Here are a few favorites:
Ephesians 4:32 song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9rck0GWDD8
This is a song about kindness based on a Bible verse. It could also be used as a type of prayer at mealtime, or a meditation before quiet time.
Lyrics:
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
(https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Danny-Donnelly/Ephesians-4-32-be-Ye-Kind)
The Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TMjxdb3uZQ
I particularly like this version because it has motions, which can be good for kids with sensory needs. You could sign the song when you eat fruit, so as to help the kids associate preferred behavioral characteristics with everyday items, which helps naturally reinforce what you are trying to teach them.
Lyrics:
We need to be filled with the Spirit
To walk in the Spirit
Be led by the Spirit of God
(REPEAT)
Just like a tasty banana, apple or pear
Our hearts bear good fruit
When His Spirit lives there
I’m talking about
Love, joy, peace, patience
Kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Gentleness and self-control
(https://musicservices.org/license/song/detail/49557)
Charlie Appelstein and The No Bad Kid Band has songs on a variety of topics such as relaxation, telling the truth, etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCez-LWyVYfOcsFRdEX5i7Pg
You can also make up your own song to common tunes such as, “Yankee Doodle” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The purpose is to put values to songs that kids can carry with them, even if they don’t have you (which by proxy, they do, because of the values you have instilled in them).
Recommended Reads
Songs can be a great way to instill positive values in children. Instead of constantly repeating what you want kids to learn, you can let a song do the work. Songs can also be used to create a shared enjoyable experience for the family and contribute to bonding. Need some examples of songs to sing? Here are a few favorites:
Ephesians 4:32 song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9rck0GWDD8
This is a song about kindness based on a Bible verse. It could also be used as a type of prayer at mealtime, or a meditation before quiet time.
Lyrics:
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
Be Ye kind to one another
Tender heart and forgiving one another
Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you
Be Ye Kind
Oh Be Ye kind …
(https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Danny-Donnelly/Ephesians-4-32-be-Ye-Kind)
The Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TMjxdb3uZQ
I particularly like this version because it has motions, which can be good for kids with sensory needs. You could sign the song when you eat fruit, so as to help the kids associate preferred behavioral characteristics with everyday items, which helps naturally reinforce what you are trying to teach them.
Lyrics:
We need to be filled with the Spirit
To walk in the Spirit
Be led by the Spirit of God
(REPEAT)
Just like a tasty banana, apple or pear
Our hearts bear good fruit
When His Spirit lives there
I’m talking about
Love, joy, peace, patience
Kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Gentleness and self-control
(https://musicservices.org/license/song/de-tail/49557)
Charlie Appelstein and The No Bad Kid Band has songs on a variety of topics such as relaxation, telling the truth, etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCez-LWyVYfOcsFRdEX5i7Pg
You can also make up your own song to common tunes such as, “Yankee Doodle” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The purpose is to put values to songs that kids can carry with them, even if they don’t have you (which by proxy, they do, because of the values you have instilled in them).
Recommended Reads
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