Dr. Emily AronoffTeaching Social-Emotional Skills and Strategies through Music in Jewish Early Childhood Education
In this collection of ’10 Feelings Songs for Kiddos,’ I present a selection of songs aimed at promoting social-emotional learning and sharing behavioral management techniques through music in Jewish early childhood settings. Research shows that joint music-making activities with young children lead to greater group cohesion, cooperation, and prosocial behavior. Music serves as a powerful tool to nurture skills such as empathy, self-regulation, and connection while helping to reinforce fundamental Jewish values like loving kindness and respect. Each song in this list has been carefully chosen for its potential to support the development of these crucial emotional competencies and align with the rich tapestry of Jewish teachings and traditions.
Table of Contents
Gentle Hands by Mama Nous
Teach gentleness and self-regulation through this delightful song. Through its warm, soothing melody, the song reminds children that gentle touch is a powerful way to show love and respect for others. This idea resonates with the Jewish value of Kavod (respect), promoting positive and caring interactions within the community.
Gentle hands, gentle touch
We don’t hurt the ones we love
Even when we love so much
We just want to eat em’ up
We don’t hit, We don’t bite-
Even when it’s hard to fight…
We take a break…………………
And then a breath ……………
And we use our gentle hands…..
The Setting Boundaries Song by HopScotch Kids
This catchy tune emphasizes the importance of setting personal boundaries. It teaches children the right to protect their personal space while teaching how to respect others’ boundaries. The song promotes the Jewish values of Tzedakah (justice) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), inspiring children to stand up for themselves and create a more just and equitable society.
Lyrics: Please stop.
I don’t like that
I’m feeling uncomfortable.
I need more space
Not around me, don’t take it personally,
That’s just a boundary
(That’s a boundary!)
This song is an incredibly useful tool folks of any age or stage that are working on their ability to set boundaries. Can you imagine the power this next generation is going to be able to access because they grow up knowing how to ask for what they need?
Yes and No (Consent Song) by Tawnee Kendall Kids
Lyrics:
And if it’s not a yes
Guess what, it’s a no
And if in the middle of yes-ing you decide
You’d like to say no,
you can change it anytime
A yes should feel happy,
it should be exciting
A no is still a no if it’s quiet or silent
A yes can be a yes
until you change your mind
You can say no at any time
That’s Why I’m Practicing by Mother Moon
This catchy song encourages children to develop resilience and a growth mindset through practice, fostering a positive inner voice.
Embracing the value of persistence and continuous learning is an integral part of Jewish learning and living. The song “That’s Why I’m Practicing” beautifully highlights this emphasis on practice, perseverance, and self-improvement. Through its uplifting lyrics, the song encourages children to understand that through dedication and practice, they can develop and grow in any skill or task they set their minds to.
Lyrics:
that’s why I’m practicing!
I’m not very good at this,
that’s why I’m practicing!
And I won’t get better right away
But if I practice, someday I can say
I’m getting better at this,
because I’m practicing
I’m getting better at this,
because I’m practicing…..
This song not only nurtures children’s abilities but also instills a growth mindset that aligns with the core Jewish teachings on lifelong learning and personal development. Singing “That’s Why I’m Practicing” with your young learners supports the Jewish values of diligence, resilience, and the importance of learning from others. Together, let’s discover the power of practice and persevering on our personal growth journey, as a way to strengthen the connections and values within our Jewish community.
Stop is The Magic Power Word by Mama Nous
Teach children self-control by pairing this song with a freeze dance- which is a another emotion-coaching tool. Freeze dances offer children opportunities to practice self-control and emotional regulation by encouraging them to move and dance to the music and then abruptly stop when the music pauses.
It makes us freeze so still
And when you say stop to me
I promise that I will
Because stop is the magic power word
We always listen to it
And when someone says stop to you
You promise that you’ll do it
This activity challenges children to observe the change in music and respond accordingly, honing their impulse control skills and teaching them to manage their energy levels. Freeze dances also foster social awareness and interaction with others, as children dance together and respond to the music as a group. By participating in activities where they have to stop and start according to auditory cues, children develop stronger listening skills and increased focus.
Demonstrate and reinforce the importance of respecting others’ boundaries – when they say “stop” please do!
It’s Allright To Cry by Rosy Grier
This classic song from ‘Free To Be You and Me’ reminds our kids and our inner children that it is OK cry, and normalizes it as a part of the human experience. It not only acknowledges emotions but normalizes crying as a part of life. With its comforting lyrics, the song sends a powerful message that it is okay to express sadness and let emotions flow.
Lyrics Excerpt:
It’s alright to cry
Crying gets the sad out of you
It’s alright to cry
It might make you feel better
Within the context of Jewish values, embracing vulnerability and emotional expression can strengthen connections and foster empathy, understanding, and emotional intelligence. Sharing this song will allow children to learn that it is perfectly normal to experience and express a range of emotions, ultimately enhancing their social and emotional development.
The Disappointment Song by Mama Nous
I sing this song to myself in my head all the time. Sometimes, life just feels a little bad (emphasis on the sometimes and little). Help children normalize and process feelings of disappointment, fostering resilience and healthy coping strategies.
We don’t
Get the things we want
Sometimes
We’ve got to
Wait a little or a lot
Sometimes
We might feel disappointed
Sad or even mad
That’s ok cuz sometimes
Life just feels a little bad Feels a little bad
Affirmation Song by Snoop Dog
This fun song builds confidence and strengthens community connections by encouraging positive self-affirmations. I love using the recording, and having large groups repeat after Snoop together- I’ve done this with 100s of kids at a time, the grown-ups often engage when they recognize the leader!
Statements that help (repeat)
Bust a challenge and overcome
When you not feeling good (repeat)
and have Negative thoughts,
so repeat after me Come on everyone
There is no one better to be than myself (repeat)
Today is going to be an amazing day (repeat)
My feelings matter (repeat)
I get better every single day (repeat)
I choose to feel happy (repeat)
My family loves me so much! (repeat)
I care about others (repeat)
I learn from my mistakes (repeat)
I Need A Break by Stephanie Leavell
This song acknowledges diverse reasons for needing breaks and teaches children to recognize and communicate when they’re overwhelmed or in need of a pause.
Sharing this song teaches children the importance of recognizing and communicating when they’re overwhelmed or in need of a pause. This songs reminds me of Jewish Shabbat, a day of rest providing a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the week. Just like Shabbat being a day of rest for the Jewish people, “I Need a Break” provides a gentle reminder for all of us – even G-d knows everyone needs a break sometimes.
Lyrics:
Hey
I need a break, I need a break
I need a minute to calm down
I need a break, I need a break
I need a minute to calm down
So please give me a break
Yeah, yeah
Please give me a break
Yeah, yeah
The Story of My Feelings by Laurie Berkner
This is the story of when I cry
When I’m feeling sad that’s when I cry
And it makes me feel better
It makes me feel better
You know I feel better
After I cry
This is the story of when I laugh…..
Yell….
Sigh…
It makes me feel better
After I ….
