Kids love music. Most, before they can articulate understandable phrases or run for more than a few steps without toddling or tumbling (guess that’s why we refer to them as ‘toddlers!), show us they enjoy music. They jump, rock and ‘dance’ to it, often signaling their wish to hear favorite tunes again and again … and again. The rhythm and sound moves them in a way that may last their entire lives. It, simply, makes them feel good.
Music has, traditionally, been a part of birthday celebrations – especially for children. I suspect that “Happy Birthday” is one of the first songs most children learn and it really sticks. A child’s birthday celebration is a big deal – a year in the life of a four-year-old is a big proportion of their life and in the year between three and four, a huge amount changes – both behaviorally and developmentally. The marking of these very special occasions can be easily enhanced by one of the adults taking the time to create a ‘personal’ birthday song for the child. Most of you can do it – and most of the children out there will really love it.
“But, I don’t know how to write a song!” you say. Well, there’s no magic or rocket science involved. Here are the elements that would allow almost anyone to create a special, personalized birthday song for a child.
1) Decide on a tune. It should be one you know well that comes from an era in your life long ago enough that it will sound new and novel to the child. That’s right, to create a song for a child, you do not need to be a composer. You can use any existing tune you know and can carry the tune of, then 2) Write some simple lyrics to go with it!.. The lyrics should be simple enough for the child to follow, contain the child’s name (several times) and reference to which birthday it is. Comments about the child’s activities, likes, family, friends and personality can be considered.
Worried about rhyming? Don’t. Approximate rhymes are fine for a young child. What matters is that the song is about them, about their birthday and conveys some love and some fun.
Here are a couple of quick examples. If you are old enough to remember Elvis, try starting out with the simple melody of “Love Me Tender.” For the fourth birthday of a boy named Johnny, it might turn out something like this:
Johnny is a special boy
Today, he’s four years old.
He’s a very special little boy
And he’s as good as gold.
Then, go from there with as many verses as you feel right about. For a snappier, jumping kind of tune, you could pick a livelier tune to work with like ” La Bamba!” Your new lyrics might begin with something like,
We all know that Johnny-
That great little boy,
Is having a birthday
Right now in this room
And we think he’s a joy…
We love Johnny, we love Johnny, we love Johnny.
Happy Birthday to Johnny!
You’ll have to come up with your own tune, but don’t overcomplicate it with polysyllabic words, complex phrases and avoid getting preoccupied with finding precise rhymes. If you don’t play a musical instrument, no problem. Sing it, as best you can, a capella. Handing out printed copies to others so they can sing along, too is always a possibility. After all, its purpose is to create some personalized, memorable moments for a young child. It’s easier than you thought it might be – and most children will be absolutely thrilled to have a song about them sung for and to them at their birthday party.
Give it a try! You won’t disappoint the child …. s/he will love it and, as a bonus, you’ll feel pretty good about yourself. The birthday party will be just a little more special for everyone.
