Why? Because "They're fun! Children love the predictable text, rhythm, and rhyme. Children are instantly engaged and motivated to learn to read the words. The words and tunes are easy to learn... and repeated readings increase phonemic awareness and build sight word vocabularies. Once [you've] warmed up with songbooks, read aloud one or two other types of books, depending on their length and the children’s mood."
-Debbie Miller, author of "Reading with Meaning" [2]

Studies show that kids with active exposure to language have social and educational advantages. Language and emergent literacy is developed by reading, singing songs, play rhyming games, talking throughout the day... [this] sets the foundation for their later independent reading. [1]

We have sang enough songs in Play Music programs to give you weeks of music conversation. So I selected an hours-worth of the cream of the crop, and wove it into a FREE 20-page eBook for you- along with 10 reading tips from the pros.

Releasing endorphins and oxytocin enhance feelings of trust and bonding (great for kids) and relieve stress and anxiety (great for parents!). [1] Say what?? MUSIC IS GOOD FOR YOU. And song is a special type of speech, preparing children's brains for language. Lullabies, songs and rhymes of every culture carry signature melodies and inflections of a mother tongue, preparing a child's ear, voice and brain for language. [2] So Play Music made something for you to commemorate all this fantastic news-

Our first collection of songs! Kids Play Music, Volume One. It is currently available as a FREE download and features 10 of our popular tunes used in the Kids Play Music programs and events. Spin this album every week (or day) to deepen the bond with your child, and to divert potential toddler meltdowns. Here's how:

1. Use the hello and goodbye song when greeting visiting family or friends. 
2. Use "Freeze Dance" or "Someone is Hiding" to snap behavior battles into a fun game.
3. Use a clean up song after play time, meal time, bath time, or before bed time.

Over the years I've heard parents using the songs for many different divergent tactics, attention grabbing, and calming  techniques. So there is plenty more milage to get out of these songs, and whatever works best for you is always the best route to go. Enjoy the music, and stay young.

1 Time Magazine / 2 The Genius of Natural Childhood