Broaden your kids’ musical horizons with this collection of 21 recommended CD’s and playlists. From blues to bluegrass, classical to classic country, you’ll find music for kids that will keep you humming, too. (And not in the I-can’t-get-that-annoying-nursery-song-out-of-my-head kind of way.) Great for home, the classroom, as well as the drive to and from.
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To all the teachers and parents out there who can’t take another version of the baby shark song, (unless that’s just me?) here’s some good news: kids like other music, too!
The Gipsy Kings are just as fun to dance to, trust me.
A sometimes forgotten Montessori principle is, “give the children the best.” And, surely, it gets better than a cartoon soundtrack. (They agree.) So whether you plan on setting up a music nook in your home or classroom, or just switching up the car tunes, check out this list of 21 CD’s and playlists to introduce your kids to music that they’ll love for life.
Maybe little Bert will discover he has a thing for zydeco.
Related: How to Introduce Kids to Great Music with a Music Nook
Music for Kids That’s Not the Wiggles
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😍 denotes my very favorites
Bluegrass
👉🏻Bluegrass Playlist (Alison Krauss and Union Station, The Stanley Brothers etc.)
Classical
Copland: the Music of America 😍
Granados: Escenas Románticas; Bocetos; Cuentos de la Juventud
Romance of the Violin (Joshua Bell playing Puccini, Debussy etc.)
Vaughan Williams: Greensleeves, Tallis, Lark 😍
Classic Country
👉🏻Classic Country Playlist (Johnny Cash, Dave Stamey, etc.)
World
African Blues (Putumayo Presents)
African Dreamland (Putumayo Kids Presents)
Celtic Tides (Putumayo Presents)
Fair Thee Well Love, The Rankin Family (Canadian folk music) 😍
The Gift of the Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa, Ladysmith Black Mombaza
The Red Crow, Altan (Traditional Celtic) 😍
South Pacific Islands (Putumayo Presents) 😍
The Very Best of The Gipsy Kings 😍
Ukulele Nahenahe, Herb Oha, Jr.
Other
Chez Toots, Toots Thielmans (harmonica) 😍
Going Places, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
👉🏻Get ideas for how to incorporate music in your classroom or home here!
This list is just to get the wheels spinning! There’s so much wonderful music out there that kids can appreciate. And if they’re not interested in the first CD or playlist that you try, don’t give up! Pay attention to what your kids are interested in, and use their interests to help you discover new music together.
Share your music recommendations with us in the comments!
Jean Marie
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We really enjoy Elizabeth Mitchell, Jennifer Gasoi, and Fred Penner. Also the kids are subtly learning their Suzuki Piano Songs by listening to them as they play each day.
Elizabeth Mitchell is so good. I love that she does sing-alongs in such a beautiful way!