Recently, I’ve had many friends ask about screen time alternatives for preschoolers when mom needs to feed the baby or work with a school-age child, so I wanted to share how we set up our educational playlist for kids.
Several years ago, I read a blog post about room time and the idea of creating a fun, educational CD (or playlist, in our case) stuck with me for a long time.
After our second daughter was born, I began compiling our “Fun Time” playlist. It’s grown and changed over the past few years as our girls have gotten older. Both girls have auditory-learning tendencies, and they love to listen to music and stories while they play–win, win for all of us!
The best part of a personalized playlist for kids is that, essentially, you can be in two places at once. And your child can begin to develop independent play skills in just 15-20 minutes per day.
Did you catch our FB live on the topic?
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- First, I downloaded a recorder app for our iPad.
- Then, I recorded our phone number, address, and our family “last name” song (to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”), as well as some of our favorite picture books.
- Next, I picked some of our favorite educational songs from our Sounds Like Learning CD. (We especially love Counting By Tens and Months of the Year!)
- Finally, I mixed everything together with some fun songs from Laurie Berkner, Rachel Coleman, and Raffi and poems from What Your Preschooler Needs to Know.
Not sure what to add to your personalized playlist for kids? Check out these ideas:
What are your favorite screen time alternatives? Would you try a personalized playlist?
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Ohhhh… I’m CONSTANTLY looking for ways to mix things up. My 6 year old daughter wants to grab the Ipad as soon as she;s home from school- thank you for sharing your ideas! Love your blog , btw! Have a awonderful day! XO
Happy to help! Hope you stop by again, Jill…my littlest is nearly six.
These are great ideas! I LOVE “We’re Going on A Bear Hunt”, and so do my kids. Definitely a favorite in our house.
All great ideas. I like doing story boxes, stickers and of course music. I love Joe Scruggs. Clever songs with catchy tunes. Best of all, they won’t drive the adults crazy! Your top banner….the bristle blocks…I’d rather step on a Lego than one of those things. 😉 Love your blog.
My sons preschool teacher was just telling me about this! I love this idea of creating your own personalized playlist according to your child’s likes. Can’t wait to try this out 🙂
This is so great. I am always trying to find things to do instead of turning the television on. Thanks for sharing this!!
Great ideas here for summer!
This is a fabulous idea! Both my kids are mainly auditory learners too, and I never would have thought to add personalized info into a playlist. I’ll be working one for the summer, for sure!
What a cool idea! My daughter would love it if I made her her own little playlist for while she’s playing!
Great ideas. Looking for a way to get my siblings off the screen!