Can you suggest music for my 6 year old?

[SilentHeadphones]

I was not allowed to listen to music when I was a child (it would turn me into a drug addict ) so I am absolutely clueless about music and it isn't something that really features in my life. Turning the radio on is not a reflex for me and the only albums I have are ones that have been given to me. I'm only just beginning to realise how much I've missed out on in terms of general music education!

I've downloaded some Disney songs (we weren't allowed to watch Disney films either, so she's watched loads!) which DD has asked for and a couple from Trolls which have been on repeat ever since. I am at a loss of what to look at for her, what is suitable music for a six year old to sing along to. She's getting a bit too old for the nursery rhyme CD's we have.

At the moment I'm just looking at the Disney soundtracks because I don't know what else to suggest for her. Help me! Songs, albums, artists to look out for. Any suggestions welcome.

My 2 girls (7 & 9) listen to a lot of current music that we let them explore on Spotify. I think that's a good place to start as there are oodles of playlists for children and preteens.

My two LOVE Robyn, Daft Punk, Chvrches, The Dø, Lorde, Taylor Swift. They tolerate Katy Perry politely.

In general, uplifting punchy female vocals or fun dance stuff. My 7yo has more refined taste than my 9yo.

We don't have Spotify. Thank you for the ideas. What counts as fun dance stuff?

Do your DC have their own "music source"? We play music over our tv speakers so it's an either or. They don't have anything in their rooms but I'm wondering if this is normal or if we should consider getting them something.

We have iTunes - how does it work for children? Do we set them up their own account to buy them "their" music that they will have when they eventually move out? At the moment I buy everything on my account.

My 6 year old loves:
Michael Jackson
The Beatles
Elton John
UB40
the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack
The Flaming Lips
Bruno Mars
Queen
Disney songs
Imagine Dragons
Elizabeth Mitchell (kids folk music)
Classical Kids audiobooks (Mr Beethoven Lives Upstairs, Vivaldi's ring of mystery, etc - MP3 downloads off Amazon)

Oh and we listen in the car or have dance parties in the kitchen. No music in bedrooms.

I would suggest you are also very careful with some of the lyrics of some songs. Make sure you're letting your DC listen to the radio edits.

radio edits they edit songs to go on the radio? I did not know that!

In any case, it's why I'm asking for suggestions of what is suitable for 6 year olds.

I agree with Wilbur - and even if no swearing, not all songs' lyrics are appropriate!! I was pretty annoyed last year with multiple 6yo birthday parties playing Ed Sheehan "Shape of You" for example after my cousin was singing "I'm in love with your body...grab on my waist and put that body on me" etc.

Oh and as to how we do music I make playlists on Spotify they can explore. With our old car we used to burn mix CDs from iTunes (yes I will have to hand in my millennial badge). DCs don't get free range on Spotify without me being there and YouTube is definitely out (their filters don't work well and I have zero tolerance of toy unboxing videos!!).

we used to burn mix CDs from iTunes We still have this system

My kids drive me crazy listening to Parry Gripp, “Space Unicorn” and “Do you like waffles” are current favourite tracks

OP, I feel like you've missed out on so much! I was aways brought up around music and my kids have been too. They love listening to what we listen to. I have a Playlist set up for them and just pop that on for them when they want to listen to some music. They're only 5 and 3 though.

When I was 7 my mum and dad had to put records on for me incase I scratched them but I was allowed to work the tape deck myself. showing my age!!

I (indoctrinated) brought up my kids by having radio 2 on in the car and the kitchen, they tend not to play the really unsuitable stuff. The evening shows tend to be less mainstream (cerys Matthews really knows her stuff) and I recommend them to you, go and discover music together!

Michael Jackson

My five year old's current favourite is the greatest showman soundtrack. Cd is on constantly in her room! Apart from that she just picks up on songs she likes from the radio and I download some of them for her.

You can sign up for a free Spotify account (it plays you adverts every so often) - good for listening to stuff to work out what you like before downloading or buying it.

Some of the bands that crop up a few times on my ‘suitable for Brownies’ playlists are:
Galantis
Sigala
Walk the moon
Jess Glynne
Little Mix
The Vamps
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift

It's awesome that you are giving your daughter what you were denied . I pretty much live for music and have indoctrinated my kids since they were born!

Early on we listened to The Beatles' Yellow Submarine soundtrack, the Mary Poppins soundtrack, folk songs from Bagpuss and the Baby Einstein DVDs which has a lot of classical music on them.

A bit later on when they were 5-9 we played a lot of Queen, Kate Bush (who my eldest loves) ABBA, and songs from the They Might Be Giants Here Comes the ABCs/Science series (sorta like Sesame Street learning songs that are actually really funny for adults and kids).

I always have the radio on - either 6music, Magic FM, Absolute 80s/90s or ClassicFM so a lot gets picked up there.

I sometimes show them random videos of artists i really like on YouTube if they're very visual - David Bowie Life on Mars, St Vincent, Blondie, Talking Heads...

Hope my ramblings have given you some ideas OP!

My children like the ‘fun kids’ radio station. It plays a range of current pop, Disney songs, funny kids songs etc. They are more edited than regular radio. They don’t really hav adverts either but will promote books and days out and have competitions.

My children are a bit younger, but really love The Greatest Showman soundtrack just now.

i have Amazon prime music, so tend to stick to 'kids music' in that. There's a few good playlists with music from films; Pixar films seem to have good tracks

Spotify has age appropriate play lists. DD is 7 now. Favourites are anything from movies she has seen mostly. Then Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga etc within reason because of lyrics.

Beatles are good. Also 50s and 60s Rock’n’roll.

My 6 year old listens to all sorts of stuff that you wouldn't think a 6 year old would like. Agree Radio 2 is a good place for you to start exploring music together - mixture of old and new, and nothing really unsuitable.

If you're looking for a kids album that isn't just nursery rhymes try "Snacktime" by Barenaked Ladies. Some gorgeous and funny songs on there.

My kids 6&5 like George Ezra shotgun, Bruno mars count on me, greatest showman soundtrack, Katy Perry, dd loves jo jo siwa but I can only tolerate so much of that! Will try and think of a few more. We love a good sing along in the car

The soundtrack to Sing! the movie is great!

Yes to They Might Be Giants, how did I forget them!!

I also like some 80s cheese with my kids - the Wedding Singer soundtrack was a hit. And ABBA and the Beegees!

Oh and also the Beach Boys, the Monkees, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Mamas & the Papas, Joni Mitchell, Wings, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers! (Running down some of the artists on my Oldies playlist for them)

When I was a kid we had a truly excellent Motown compilation - the track list is here, I've transferred it into Spotify for my kids since it's no longer on sale. This is the best music for dance parties in the kitchen!! www.allmusic.com/album/harlem-shuffle-60s-soul-classics-mw0000190254

You can't go wrong with Disney. The songs are all family friendly and timeless. You can get a compilation CD that has the best songs from the entire catalogue.

I would try and avoid exposing a 6 yr old to most pop music, Lady GaGa, Beyonce etc. There's a lot of subversive messages around LGBT acceptance and race baiting that are simply inappropriate for children.

Some of the bands that crop up a few times on my ‘suitable for Brownies’ playlists are:

Little Mix
Taylor Swift

Really?!