The Best Musical Groups for Toddlers

There are a lot of musical groups out there who target the under five audience. Now finding out who these musicians are or what their style is can be insanely easy - if you pay attention to children's programming on television. However, some of us just don't have access to certain channels and some of us don't let our children watch television. However, music is something that every child should have in their life in some way. But what groups or artists are the best? While these are in no specific order, I've found the following musical groups or artists to be the most liked music among children in my area.

The Wiggles

By now most parents have heard of The Wiggles and sadly, the original four are no longer together. However, even with that bit of bad news, there are several excellent CD's, DVD's and toys that play Wiggles Music. What makes this Australian group so excellent for little ones? The Wiggles introduce little children to all sorts of music - including pirate-y sounding songs along with music from around the world. The Wiggles have introduced many children to exotic sounding songs like "Taba Naba" and even hebrew songs and Italian songs. The videos available of The Wiggles also teach children different dancing styles, such as a traditional Italian dance. All of their songs are full of energy, passion and something little children will grasp onto. Also, The Wiggles have songs that are silly, but also songs that can be utilized for learning... such as "Gub Gub Drink Your Water" or even instructions on how to make a fruit salad at home. You can find Wiggles cd's in most stores in the children's music area and they are reasonably priced, too, so you won't have to fret about expensive cd's.

The Doodlebops

The Doodlebops originate from Canada, however their music is extremely unlike The Wiggles. The Doodlebops perform all songs in English and they seem to have moralistic messages in all of there songs. They combine a little humor with their stage show along with the most excellent harmonies that you can imagine. The Doodlebops each have their own little quirk and distinct style, which carries over into their music. The Doodlebops are also a popular television show on Disney Channel, which showcases the trio in a day in the life of being a 'star'. The trio act and think like everybody else, but something in their day turns into a moral and ends up becoming a song. That is the basis of all their songs: a lesson learned somewhere. From the importance of sharing to counting to ten before losing temper on something or somebody, the songs have easy lyrics for little ones to remember and beats guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance.

Laurie Berkner

Laurie Berkner is a guitar playing performer commonly found on Noggin. Her songs are mostly amusing to listen to, giving little ones excellent visuals when they listen to the music. Mostly acoustic, she varies her tempos within songs, along with varying the sound level just to make little kids imitate her. This teaches children several aspects of music. Her songs are adorable and always upbeat. Even adults are sure to enjoy the quality of these songs, such as Victor Vito or We Are The Dinosaurs, which urges little ones to move around and stomp like dinosaurs, also teaching just a very little about how dinosaurs stop and eat whenever they want to. There are several cd's and a few DVD's out with Laurie Berkner's material, full of color and music for little ones to get lost in and move to their own music.

The Backyardigans

The Backyardigans started out as a television show, but now have CD's out with their music from the program. Perhaps my personal favorite of children's artists around, the songs are done in child voices, not professional adults like most people would think. Each song has a distinct style, which introduces little children ot the numerous genres of music out there and give them something to dance to. The amusing aspect of these songs are perhaps the genres, themselves. They have rock, country and even 50's style do-wop. But all these songs tell small stories, such as teaching children how to use their imagination and pretend to be a pirate, "If you want to be a pirate get up on your feet.. you can't be a pirate if you're sitting on your seat.." for example. The song goes into lurching over slightly, hooking your arm and saying, "Arrr!" The songs aren't catchy for children, even as an adult you can get into their songs because they're just extremely fun. The backyardigans offer music to assist little ones in imagination and any song that does that is well worth letting your little one listen to.

While it may seem like there aren't many artists out there who are performing solely for little ones, there are if you know where to look. Music is important for little ones, even if people don't feel it is. It motivates children to get up and dance, providing exercise and letting little ones sing out loud just like older children to their own favorite songs. Just take a look around a children's section sometime in a store and you'll see a whole rainbow of different songs available for your little ones to 'groove' to.