Hap Palmer Educational Children's Songs

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Pedia Media
A preschool music primer for parents
by Fred Koch

One of the real pioneers in children's music is Hap Palmer.  His latest, Early Childhood Classics (Hap-Pal Music, 2000) recently won a Parents' Choice Gold Award and is aptly subtitled "Old Favorites With A New Twist."  This is an upbeat collection of some all-time favorite activity songs for young children, many updated with new, original lyrics and melodies.

Palmer knows 3-to 5-year olds well. (My son gave it a listen using my headphones and portable CD player and refused to give up the headphones until about the twelfth song.)  Standouts include a neat "Circle Songs" medley as well as standards such as "Bingo," "The Wheels On The Bus" and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes."

Another feature found often in "educational" recordings are instrumental tracks that allow children to sing along without the vocalist - a kind of preschool Karaoke experience.  Teachers love this feature.  Early Childhood Classics includes 15 songs; tracks 16-30 are repeats with the vocals mixed out.  As a parent and educator, I also appreciated the guide which was included with the CD, featuring lyrics and recommended activities for each song.

CHICAGO PARENT   July 2000