See more music reviews

Ella Jenkins: Early Early Childhood Songs (by Ella Jenkins, Children's Music)

common sense media says

Friendly sounding songs even babies can enjoy.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that singing traditional nursery rhymes is often the first step in a child's musical education. Jenkins allows kids to do that and so much more. She enriches the experience by creating name-that-tune type games on the second half of the CD. And as another added bonus, in line with Jenkins' aim to educate culturally as well as musically, the tune "London Bridge" is fitted with Japanese words.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Ella Jenkins: Early Early Childhood Songs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the different instruments they hear and try to identify them. They can also play the tune-guessing games together, in which a bit of the tune is first played on an instrument, before Jenkins sings the lyrics.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Over the past four decades, Ella Jenkins has made herself legendary among music educators by recording her own preschool music classes. EARLY EARLY CHILDHOOD SONGS, originally issued in 1982, is an informal musical game session with a class of 3- and 4-year-olds. The first half is completely instrumental, meant to be a purely listening session, but could also serve as karaoke-style backup music for sing-alongs. On the second half, Jenkins begins a tune-guessing game by playing a few bars of the melody for the kids to guess before they start singing the words. She also directs some simple movements to accompany the songs (great for antsy back-seaters).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
For a collection of nursery rhymes, this is quiet and unobtrusive. These simple little ditties teach and reinforce the skills of singing on key, imitating rhythms, and memorizing words. Plus, Jenkins' multicultural approach ensures that even the adults can learn something new. For example, in line with Jenkins' aim to educate culturally as well as musically, the tune "London Bridge" is fitted with Japanese words.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: August 20, 1996
Label: Smithsonian Folkways
Genre: Children's Music
This review was written by Shana Kirk
 
 

Review It

 

Review Ella Jenkins: Early Early Childhood Songs

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you add Ella Jenkins: Early Early Childhood Songs to your playlist?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already listened to it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more music
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines