| ional Songs are excellent for the mind, body and spirit | | | | Original Broadway Cast Recording of Annie. I can |
| in kids of all ages. If you are like me, a kid looking at 40, | | | | remember those lyrics being there for me as a kid, and |
| listening to motivational songs gives me that much | | | | hope other children find them as equally encouraging. |
| needed pick-me-up in the through out the day | | | | 6. Although "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah" sung by James |
| converting my entire mood, bringing me to my feet, | | | | Baskett isn't a favorite yet amongst my kiddies, |
| and encouraging me to dance. And more importantly, | | | | Grandma loves it and every time we are in the car, |
| for my own kids, motivational songs help instill valuable | | | | that is her first request. Maybe I should have picked |
| life lessons that will conjure up powerful memories for | | | | the Miley Cyrus version...which leads me to... |
| many years to come. | | | | 7. "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus is the one the 3-year-old |
| A song is motivational if it has a positive and uplifting | | | | enjoys best. There is a great message in this one, too. |
| message. For example, lyrics like "You can get it if you | | | | But, I don't even think she notices it! It's Hannah |
| really want, but you must try," talks about ideas of | | | | Montana! |
| determination and hard work. However, certain songs | | | | 8. "All Star" by Smash Mouth is a late nineties classic |
| might have an upbeat rhythm that clears the mind and | | | | with a great message so wholesome it has already |
| moves the body...like in the theme song from the | | | | been featured in countless movies, commercials, and |
| Rocky series "Gonna Fly Now". That invigorating horn | | | | "best of" compilations and never gets old. Not only |
| arrangement, along with that rock guitar solo, oh and | | | | does it bring you to your feet, but it fills your kids' |
| that string structure are so mind blowing it gives you | | | | mouths with some great words that can bring up |
| that little nudge, the extra powerto get up and go. | | | | self-esteem and inner confidence. |
| Even school educators find that the correct music | | | | 9. "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley is a reggae |
| helps facilitate learning by creating a pleasing | | | | classic that also hits home for tons of people..."Don't |
| atmosphere and energizing activities for children. It can | | | | worry 'bout a thing...every little thing's gonna be alright." |
| also influence them to increase their attention, elevate | | | | Who doesn't need to listen to like that from time to |
| their memory, ease tension, and so much more. How | | | | time? It's a excellent song for kids and certainly has |
| cool is that? | | | | lyrics to live by. |
| As a parent of 2 little kids, I also find that motivational | | | | 10. "My Favorite Things" by Julie Andrews is first and |
| songs give them positive sayings that you won't be | | | | foremost always a great vocal workout! She hits |
| humiliated to hear them repeat or sing along to. | | | | those notes and holds them as long as only she can. |
| Additionally, for parents, motivational lyrics become | | | | But in her rendition of this popular standard, she clearly |
| words of wisdom to use when coaching kids about | | | | delivers a great solution to anyone feeling down in the |
| the "trials and tribulations" of life that Princess Tiana | | | | dumps...Make a list of your favorite things. Pull them out |
| sings about in "Almost There"(SEE BELOW). Basically, | | | | when you need them, and let it work miracles on your |
| they are just like empowering quotes do. But, since | | | | mood. Great idea! |
| they have the power to get stuck in the listener's head | | | | 11. "Almost There" by Anika Noni Rose from Disney's |
| and repeat into oblivion, motivational songs are that | | | | new The Princess and the Frog film is so good it was |
| much more potent! | | | | nominated for an Academy Award this year. It's so |
| Thankfully, motivational songs can be located in all | | | | easy to sing along to, all the while instilling an important |
| genres and from an array of artists old and new, | | | | message about determination. How many times have |
| famous and not so popular. Although there are so | | | | you needed a tune like this to help you stay motivated |
| many to select from, here are just a few I have | | | | when getting close to the finish line? |
| exposed my children to. These are in no particular | | | | The important thing to remember is that by taking the |
| order. | | | | time to do a little picking and choosing of what kids |
| 1. "Accentuate the Positive" sung by Dr. John, is a highly | | | | listen to, just like monitoring what they watch, parents |
| stylized remake of the old standard that was featured | | | | can reattain some power to control the ideas and |
| in the movie The Mighty Ducks. This one leaves kids | | | | images that penetrate their children's minds. |
| singing along to some excellent words of wisdom that | | | | Furthermore, by feeding them with positive ideas and |
| were originally written by Harold Arlen who was | | | | images through music, parents can program their |
| reported to have been inspired by a church sermon he | | | | children to become stronger, more independent, and |
| had heard with the same title. | | | | successful individuals. Pretty cool, huh? |
| 2. "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" is a | | | | And, did I mention CHEAP? Amazon not only lists |
| beloved Disney classic tune from Peter Pan. Its | | | | "Walk Tall" by Ziggy Marley as FREE, but each |
| captivating "old school" charm is still exhilarating after all | | | | download is only .99 cents a piece. And, for a collection |
| of these years. | | | | of 11 songs, that totals out to about $9.90. Now that's a |
| 3. "We Did It!" from Dora the Explorer series is simply a | | | | bargain! You don't even have to leave the comfort of |
| celebration of victory. It has an undeniably infectious | | | | your home. It downloads instantly and you can unveil it |
| beat and always brings you to your feet to dance. | | | | to your kids within minutes. |
| 4. "Walking Tall" by Ziggy Marley and featuring Paul | | | | Simply put, motivational songs are a fun, easy, and |
| Simon, is a new catchy tune written in the tradition of | | | | cheap way to teach your children about hard work, |
| his father's positive lyricism. There is an important | | | | discipline, determination, respect for others and more. |
| lesson being taught here, and is done in such a cute | | | | And as parents, this is the most important work we |
| way that it is destined to become a hit! | | | | can do and motivational songs allow us to do it "in the |
| 5. "Tomorrow" performed by Alicia Morton from the | | | | most delightful way! |