Looking for a list of rock music for kids? You’re at the right place.
Rock music is a genre characterized by its strong rhythm, electric guitar-driven sound, and emphasis on live performance. Originating in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, rock music evolved from a blend of various musical styles, including blues, country, and rhythm and blues. It soon became a global phenomenon, influencing culture, fashion, and social movements around the world.
Rock music is known for its versatility, encompassing a wide range of subgenres such as classic rock, punk rock, alternative rock, and more. It often features passionate vocals, powerful drumbeats, and energetic instrumentation, making it a dynamic and engaging form of expression.
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Introducing Music to Children: Rock Music For Kids
Introducing music to children from a young age offers numerous benefits for their overall development and well-being. Music stimulates various areas of the brain, enhancing cognitive abilities such as memory, language skills, and problem-solving. Additionally, exposure to music can improve a child’s emotional intelligence by encouraging self-expression and fostering empathy and compassion.
Music also plays a vital role in social development, as it provides opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and communication. Through group activities such as singing, dancing, or playing instruments, children learn valuable social skills such as cooperation, listening, and taking turns.
Moreover, music has the power to inspire creativity and imagination in children, allowing them to explore and express themselves in new and innovative ways. Whether through listening to music, singing along to their favourite songs, or creating their own melodies, children can unleash their artistic potential and develop a lifelong passion for music.
This blog is a curated playlist of rock music for kids. Enjoy and listen to the songs.
1. Yellow Submarine by the Beatles
Both adults and children find delight in this cheerful melody depicting life beneath the waves. Utilizing this rock music for kids can aid in the development of cognitive abilities and communication skills, particularly through activities like story sequencing and reading comprehension exercises.
*While there exists, a book inspired by this song on Amazon, it’s important to note that it primarily serves as a narrative and does not directly incorporate the song’s lyrics.
2. Lookin Out My Back Door by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Crafted by John Fogerty of CCR, this amusing and fanciful tune was penned for his three-year-old son at the time. Its playful lyrics, featuring elephants, giraffes, giants, and magicians, conjure up vivid images of a bustling circus, making it highly engaging for children. Like the previous song, this rock music for kids lends itself well to activities aimed at enhancing cognitive and communication skills, such as story sequencing and reading comprehension exercises.
Fun fact: The mention of a parade in this song draws inspiration from the Dr. Seuss book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street!”
3. Do You Wanna Dance? made popular by The Beach Boys and The Ramones
Initially penned by Bobby Freeman, this lively and energizing song is guaranteed to get people on their feet and grooving! Its catchy, repetitive structure lends itself perfectly to dance and movement activities, ideal for targeting cognitive and motor skills. Clocking in at approximately 2 minutes, it serves as a perfect interlude between interventions, offering your little ones a chance to let loose and release some pent-up energy!
4. Stray Cat Strut by Stray Cats
If you’re craving a dose of whimsicality, look no further than this delightful rock music for kids. Perfect for honing cognitive and communication skills such as story sequencing, its witty lyrics are especially effective for bolstering reading comprehension. Once you’ve had your fill of discussing the song’s amusing content, why not let the kids showcase their own “stray cat strut” for some added fun?
5. Shakin Shakin Shakes by Los Lobos
This rock music for kids proves to be an outstanding tool for enhancing motor skills through either instrument play or movement. The verses’ lyrics serve as effective directives for movement or instrument play, encouraging children to reach progressively higher or lower. Additionally, the refrain offers a much-needed break, allowing them to shake out their limbs after engaging in strenuous movement. Moreover, the song’s lyrics provide ample opportunities to delve into academic concepts such as learning adjectives and geographical terms.
6. Angel Dance made popular by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin
In 2010, Robert Plant recorded his rendition of a Los Lobos tune, which he affectionately described as “a nursery rhyme”. This rendition, whether sung a cappella or accompanied by acoustic instruments and at a slower tempo, possesses a soothing quality that could transform it into a lovely lullaby. With lyrics like “Goodnight, sleep tight, big bright sun has gone away… Goodbye, don’t cry, tomorrow brings us a brand-new day,” it carries a gentle, comforting tone perfect for bedtime. However, amidst its tranquility, this rock music for kids also includes specific movement directives such as “fly,” “run,” and “jump,” offering versatility for energetic activities.
7. Hello Goodbye by the Beatles
This song presents an excellent opportunity to tackle cognitive and academic skills such as understanding opposites and rhyming. Its repetitive structure lends itself well to addressing communication skills, whether through echoing specific vowel sounds or even two-syllable words. Furthermore, the concepts of opposites and rhyming can be further explored by engaging in a simple song rewrite, allowing for a deeper understanding of these concepts through musical expression.
8. You’re My Best Friend by Queen
The sincere and touching lyrics of this song provide a perfect opportunity for a lyric analysis with children. Its simplicity and straightforwardness make it accessible for discussions about the characteristics of a healthy and supportive friendship. For instance, phrases like “rain or shine, you stood by me,” “I got you to help me forgive,” and “you’re the first one when things turn out bad” can prompt conversations about loyalty, forgiveness, and being there for each other through thick and thin.
9. Lullaby (Goodnight, My. Angel) by Billy Joel
Inspired by Joel’s young daughter at the time, this heartfelt song from River of Dreams, “Goodnight, My Angel,” serves as more than just a lullaby. Beneath its soothing melody lies a poignant message of trust. With eloquent lyrics and gorgeous instrumentation, it stands as an exceptional choice for fostering bonding and instilling a sense of security, especially in children who have experienced trauma.
Reflecting on the 2004 picture book based on his song, Joel aptly stated: “Reassuring children that they are not alone or could be abandoned is very important for their well-being.” These words resonate deeply, encapsulating the song’s profound impact on nurturing the emotional well-being of children. Well said, Billy.
10. Octopus’s Garden by the Beatles
This rock music for kids and its accompanying picture book’s illustrations trace the adventures of a boy and his pet goldfish. Despite its small size, the goldfish makes an appearance on every page, lending itself to an enjoyable “Where’s Waldo” or “I Spy” style activity. Incorporating the song and book into a “find the fish” game could serve as an excellent method to offer procedural support or simply promote on-task behaviour and concentration.
Conclusion
This compilation of rock music for kids will help you discover this compilation to be a valuable resource in your practice! By refreshing your repertoire with these new go-to songs, you’re taking a small yet significant step towards preventing burnout. Moreover, your young learners are sure to welcome the novelty and excitement these tunes bring to your sessions.
And don’t forget to explore our previous blog post, “20+ Clean and Kid-Friendly Rap Songs for School, Parties, and Family Gatherings” if you haven’t had the chance yet. Happy singing and rocking out with your little ones!
