Music can instill positive values in children

By Sarah Earles, MS, LPC, NCC | August 30, 2021

Songs can be a great way to instill positive values in children. Instead of constantly repeating what you want kids to learn, you can let a song do the work. Songs can also be used to create a shared enjoyable experience for the family and contribute to bonding. Need some examples of songs to sing? Here are a few favorites:

Ephesians 4:32 song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9rck0GWDD8

This is a song about kindness based on a Bible verse. It could also be used as a type of prayer at mealtime, or a meditation before quiet time.

Lyrics:

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

(https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Danny-Donnelly/Ephesians-4-32-be-Ye-Kind)

The Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TMjxdb3uZQ

I particularly like this version because it has motions, which can be good for kids with sensory needs. You could sign the song when you eat fruit, so as to help the kids associate preferred behavioral characteristics with everyday items, which helps naturally reinforce what you are trying to teach them.

Lyrics:

We need to be filled with the Spirit

To walk in the Spirit

Be led by the Spirit of God

(REPEAT)

Just like a tasty banana, apple or pear

Our hearts bear good fruit

When His Spirit lives there

I’m talking about

Love, joy, peace, patience

Kindness, goodness, faithfulness

Gentleness and self-control

(https://musicservices.org/license/song/detail/49557)

Charlie Appelstein and The No Bad Kid Band has songs on a variety of topics such as relaxation, telling the truth, etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCez-LWyVYfOcsFRdEX5i7Pg

You can also make up your own song to common tunes such as, “Yankee Doodle” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The purpose is to put values to songs that kids can carry with them, even if they don’t have you (which by proxy, they do, because of the values you have instilled in them).

Recommended Reads

College Students overwhelmed, overworked, burned out, perfectionists. Teen tired girl, young woman sitting at table with books in college library.
Meltdowns: How to Get Back on Track
When life gets stressful, meltdowns can occur. To recover, the body, brain, and spirit needs to get back...
Read More
happy boy with carton plane wings, and cheerful father playing with his son
Play Therapy and its Benefits
Play therapy allows the client to intentionally communicate without having to use words all while feeling...
Read More

Songs can be a great way to instill positive values in children. Instead of constantly repeating what you want kids to learn, you can let a song do the work. Songs can also be used to create a shared enjoyable experience for the family and contribute to bonding. Need some examples of songs to sing? Here are a few favorites:

Ephesians 4:32 song:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9rck0GWDD8

This is a song about kindness based on a Bible verse. It could also be used as a type of prayer at mealtime, or a meditation before quiet time.

Lyrics:

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

Be Ye kind to one another

Tender heart and forgiving one another

Even as God has for Christ’s sake forgiven you

Be Ye Kind

Oh Be Ye kind …

(https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Danny-Donnelly/Ephesians-4-32-be-Ye-Kind)

The Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TMjxdb3uZQ

I particularly like this version because it has motions, which can be good for kids with sensory needs. You could sign the song when you eat fruit, so as to help the kids associate preferred behavioral characteristics with everyday items, which helps naturally reinforce what you are trying to teach them.

Lyrics:

We need to be filled with the Spirit

To walk in the Spirit

Be led by the Spirit of God

(REPEAT)

Just like a tasty banana, apple or pear

Our hearts bear good fruit

When His Spirit lives there

I’m talking about

Love, joy, peace, patience

Kindness, goodness, faithfulness

Gentleness and self-control

(https://musicservices.org/license/song/de-tail/49557)

Charlie Appelstein and The No Bad Kid Band has songs on a variety of topics such as relaxation, telling the truth, etc.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCez-LWyVYfOcsFRdEX5i7Pg

You can also make up your own song to common tunes such as, “Yankee Doodle” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The purpose is to put values to songs that kids can carry with them, even if they don’t have you (which by proxy, they do, because of the values you have instilled in them).

Recommended Reads

baby child in hat sits on beach against background of sea and plays sand
Sand Tray Therapy: What is it and the Benefits
Sand tray therapy is a form of play therapy that allows expression through the use of miniatures. It...
Read More
pregnant woman is seeing the therapist
Therapists' Role: Supporting Personal Growth in Therapy
Therapy, a guiding force in personal growth, is driven by therapists' genuine care within professional...
Read More