The scientific formula for the perfect children’s song has been revealed, and it shares a BPM structure — and chords — with hits by Queen and Beyoncé.
Dr. Michael Bonshor, a professor of music psychology at the University of Sheffield, analyzed dozens of children’s classics to create the magic formula.
He concluded that the ideal children’s song should be between 60-120 BPM, have a ‘march or swing’ rhythm and have repetitive, rhyming lyrics – along with a major key, which has a sense of bright and optimistic.
Endurance, the two-four-in-one bar lends itself to walking, dancing or swinging, which can help develop motor skills and coordination.
The songs that follow this medley—including Queen’s hits ‘Radio Ga Ga’ and ‘We Will Rock You’ and Beyoncé’s ‘All the Single Ladies’—not only have the power to entertain kids, but also teach them. the main skills in their early development.
Repetitive words and melodies make it easy for children to actively participate in the music and this triggers a ‘call and response’ activity between listeners, which can help build communication skills such as turn taking.
Listening and joining in with songs in general can help strengthen the bond between caregiver and child as it involves synchronization and shared body language.
While this structure is used in many popular children’s songs, Dr. Bonshor also noted that it can be heard in genres ranging from reggae to rock.
Dr. Bonshor teamed up with Fisher-Price to mark the launch of its Link Squad range, which helps children learn key skills through music by singing and playing with other Link Squad members.
Team Link promotes learning and helps babies and toddlers make important connections while playing and engaging with phrases and music.
He said: “Many parents use music to engage with their children, most often by singing to them, playing songs or moving to the music.
“These musical activities help children and parents interact and connect with each other.
“They also help babies develop communication skills, such as listening, turn-taking and expressing and channeling their emotions.
“Music is often used to regulate mood and behaviour, with many parents using songs to soothe and entertain their children, and this can develop into a lifelong interest in music.”
Fisher-Price also commissioned a survey of 500 parents with children aged 0-5, which found that 74 percent believe music has helped their child’s development.
For six in 10, it’s because exposure to new words and sounds helps their cognitive development, and 54 percent like that it doesn’t necessarily involve a screen.
For just under half (49 per cent), music helps calm and soothe children, while 41 per cent consider it helps with their social skills as they can sing along with others.
The classic “The Wheels on the Bus” was voted the children’s favorite song, followed by “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes”.
About three in 10 (29 percent) have children who like songs that involve some physical action.
Nearly a quarter (23 percent) like a song that has a clearly defined story, such as Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall.
In fact, eight in 10 (78 percent) of parents surveyed say their child won’t go a day without listening to music, according to OnePoll figures.
Dr. Michael Bonshor added: “Children’s music tends to have a simple structure, either with a verse-chorus pattern or just a self-contained repeating chorus.
“There is often a lot of repetition in the lyrics and the melody, which is usually in a bright, major key, is relatively loud, and uses a fairly small range of notes.
“The songs have a steady, predictable beat, with the kind of speed that encourages children to dance or sway along.
“When there are catchy, repetitive lyrics and melodies, young children can’t resist joining the words, adding actions, dancing, or doing all three at the same time.”
Gemma Atkinson, TV presenter and radio presenter, who is working with the brand, added: “I think music is so valuable to my son Thiago’s development because it energizes him. It helps with his coordination and is something fun we can do together as a family.
“I would say that the music that Thiago responds to the most is anything with a high tempo, anything that he can clap or dance to.
“And he’s partial to trying to add his backing vocals to the school. If the radio’s on, he’ll try to sing ‘ah ah, ooh ooh’ as ​​best he can, it’s really sweet.”
DR. BONSHOR’S FORMULA FOR THE ‘PERFECT’ SONG FOR CHILDREN:
60-120 BPM + march/swing rhythm + repetition + rhyming lyrics + loud and bright tone + simple structure* + limited number of notes + interactive**
*A part that is repeated or alternates with a verse-chorus structure
**Interactive = potential to join actions, repeat text, dance or swing
POP SONGS CONTAINING ELEMENTS OF THIS FORMULA:
Songs that share most of the features of the suggested formula:
Queen – Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, Bicycle Race
will.i.am – I like to move it
Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry, be happy
Jessie Jay – Price Tag
Beyoncé – All the Single Ladies
Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
Björk – It’s Oh So Quiet
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