You don’t need to be a trained musician to know the power of music. A single song can shift the energy in your classroom — calm a restless group, spark joy during circle time, or help kids move through transitions without a fuss.

But here’s the thing: music isn’t just fun. It’s foundational. And when you use it with intention, it can support your students’ development in some pretty incredible ways — from language and memory to motor skills and self-regulation.

In this blog, we’ll break down what the research actually says about music and early learning, share practical tips for using music during transitions, and spotlight one of the most powerful tools you already have: your singing voice. We’ll also link out to some of our favorite resources and ready-to-use classroom songs.

What the Research Says: Cognitive + Developmental Benefits

Music isn’t just background noise — it’s one of the most powerful tools you have to support early learning. When used intentionally, it helps children strengthen essential brain functions and build skills that go way beyond the melody.

Here’s what the research (and plenty of classrooms) confirm:

• 🧠 Language development: Songs packed with rhyme, rhythm, and repetition help kids tune in to the sounds in words — a building block for reading. One study found that babies who participated in active music classes showed stronger early communication and social development than their peers.
• 🧘 Emotional regulation: Soft rhythms, familiar tunes, and movement-based songs help children shift their energy and manage big feelings. Research shows infants naturally respond to rhythm, which can support mood regulation and engagement.
• 👐 Motor coordination: Drumming, clapping, dancing — even shaking a tambourine — supports both gross and fine motor skills. In preschoolers, rhythm-based interventions have been linked to better self-regulation and motor control.
• 🎨 Creative expression & confidence: Music gives kids a safe way to explore ideas, make up silly lyrics, and feel proud of what they create. They don’t have to do it “right” — they just have to join in. That freedom builds confidence and imagination.
• 👥 Social learning: Music offers natural moments for cooperation, turn-taking, and group participation. Call-and-response songs, passing instruments, singing together — these are all early lessons in how to be part of a group.

Still wondering if it’s really worth it? A long-term USC study found that group-based music instruction can actually change the architecture of a child’s brain — strengthening the pathways that support language, executive function, and emotional control.

Bottom line? Music doesn’t just boost learning — it builds brains.

Using Music for Routines and Transitions

Transitions are some of the trickiest moments in an early childhood classroom. Kids are shifting gears, energy levels are all over the place, and you’re trying to get everyone from one activity to the next without total chaos.

That’s where music comes in.

Used consistently, music can become one of your best classroom management tools, helping children anticipate what’s coming next, move through transitions smoothly, and stay emotionally regulated throughout the day.

Here are a few key moments where music can do the heavy lifting:

• 🎶 Arrival time → Set the emotional tone for the day. A calm or happy song can help kids settle in and feel safe.
• 🧽 Cleanup → Give structure and pacing. Music signals “we’re wrapping up” and helps make cleanup feel fun instead of forced.
• 🚶 Line-up or waiting → Redirect excess energy. A quick song can focus attention and reduce downtime drama.
• 🛏️ Rest time → Ease the shift to calm. Gentle music supports relaxation and signals a slower rhythm.

Want to test it out? Start with these tried-and-true transition songs — perfect for toddlers through pre-K:

🎵 Top 5 Transition Songs on YouTube:

• ​“Clean Up Song” by Super Simple Songs: Simple, catchy, and easy for kids to follow along with as they tidy up.

• “Tooty Ta” by Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel: A waiting song to keep kids occupied while they wait for lunch, to go outside, or any other waiting period.

• “Thank You, Food” by WeeWoo Heart Happy Kids: Help get everyone calm before starting lunch. Also encourages gratitude and can be used to teach about where food comes from.

• “If You’re Ready for a Story” by Jbrary: A nice transition song for circle time or story time so everyone knows it’s time to settle in and listen.

👉 Quick tip: Repetition matters. Using the same song for the same routine helps kids know what’s expected — without needing a long explanation. Eventually, they’ll hear the first few notes and just know what to do.

Let's Talk Singing: The Most Powerful (and Portable) Tool You Have

Let’s be honest — it’s easy to hit play on a song. And there’s nothing wrong with using recorded music now and then. But if music is always coming from your phone or a speaker, kids start to tune it out.

Singing, on the other hand? That cuts through the noise.

We’re wired to pay attention to the human voice. When you sing — even softly, even off-key — it instantly changes the energy in the room. Kids stop what they’re doing. They look up. They connect.

Here’s why singing works so well:

• It grabs attention. Children naturally respond to live voices more than pre-recorded tracks.
• It builds connection. Your voice becomes a consistent, comforting cue throughout the day.
• It helps kids remember. Melody supports memory — perfect for transitions, routines, and even academic content.
• It invites participation. When you sing regularly, kids start to learn the songs, too. That means they’re the ones practicing rhythm, language, coordination, and all the benefits we talked about earlier — without even realizing it.

Bonus points if you pair it with a shaker, ukulele, or even a simple clapping pattern. But the voice is the real magic.

🎶 A Few Tips to Make Singing a Daily Habit:

• Use familiar tunes (like “Twinkle Twinkle” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It”) and swap in your own classroom-friendly lyrics.

• Send songs home to families. Singing isn’t just helpful in school — it’s a great tool for calming, bonding, and learning at home. When families join in, kids get to practice those same skills in a new setting. Plus, it’s a simple, joyful way to invite parents into your classroom rhythm.

Make it playful. Sing slowly, loudly, softly, or with silly voices to get kids involved. Don’t worry about being pitch-perfect — they care more about the fun.

Our Favorite Resources for Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Songs

Here are some of our favorite go-to resources for classroom singing:

• Jbrary: Run by two children’s librarians, Jbrary is packed with fingerplays, call-and-response songs, and routines made for early childhood.
• Songs for Teaching: Search by topic, age group, or skill — great for adding songs to your curriculum.
• Your local children’s librarian: Librarians are a goldmine of musical books, fingerplays, and song-based storytimes. Ask if they have a list of favorites — they almost always do.
• Your community: Don’t overlook your fellow teachers, families, or music-loving friends. Some of the best classroom songs come from shared experience, not Spotify.

Singing doesn’t just fill space — it brings your classroom to life. It builds skills. It creates joy. And it turns everyday moments into something meaningful.

Take ProSolutions Training's Music and Movement Training for Early Childhood Educators

Ready to bring more purpose to the music you already use? Our one-hour course, Music and Movement: Enhancing Your Curriculum, shows you how to use music to boost memory, focus, and engagement — with strategies you can apply right away!