I have watched with amusement and wonder as each of our grandchildren has bobbed, swayed, wiggled, and ultimately danced to the sounds of music. This can be music on the radio, a CD, or even a ring tone of a cell phone. After one or two bars of a melody, their little bodies automatically respond and start to move. It’s so much fun to watch!

I’ve observed as older siblings watch a Veggie Tale. The 8 or 10 month old sits up and bobs as the Veggie Tale theme comes on. As soon as Larry and Bob start talking, the little ones lose interest. But, if a song comes on again – they are right back in front of the TV, ready to dance.

This response to music is innate – no one tells these small children to dance, no one teaches them. There is something within us that responds to music – emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It is such a natural, joyful expression.

Music is also a “hook” for long term memory. Think of the songs you remember from childhood. “The Itsy, Bitsy Spider”, “Old McDonald”, and best of all – “Jesus Loves Me”. We hear the first few notes of any of these songs and we can instantly sing along. Knowing this, parents can use music in meaningful ways in the lives of their children. Many children learn their A, B, C’s by singing – “ a,b,c,d,e,f,g,” etc., and learn to count by singing – “one little, two little, three little, etc…”

Music is an effective way to memorize Bible verses. There are many Scriptures that I know because I learned them set to music. There are countless times that God’s Word has come to me in my time of need in a song. This is a blessing as well as an encouragement.

Psalm 150:1-6 (NIV)

¹ Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in His mighty heavens.
² Praise Him for His acts of power;
praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
³ Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise Him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise Him with timbrel and dancing,
praise Him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise Him with the clash of cymbals,
praise Him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord.

These verses from Psalms exhort us to praise the Lord with our voices, various instruments, and DANCING. I have seen this in the three homes of our grandchildren. Each has certain songs they play, DVD’s the children watch, and CD’s they listen to that contain God’s Word set to music. They dance with joy and abandon! These will be verses that the children know by heart and that the Holy Spirit will use to build their faith, challenge them to walk with God, and even bring correction in their lives.

Our children listened to Bill Gaither when they were small. Remember “I’m Something Special” and “I am a Promise”.

What are your children listening to?

Please share songs, CD’s, or DVD’s that your children enjoy that allow them to dance and sing before our Lord. This will give all readers a chance to have Dance Parties of their own. Thanks in advance for sharing.