For young children learning is best done naturally through story, vivid pictures, music, and body movement. I Can Sing from 1 to 10 is a delightful way to introduce young children to numbers and counting in a way that links number symbols and names.

Each full-page, color illustration shows a number embedded in an image and provides details for the child to count, ensuring that from early on children learn the "how many" of each number. This newly updated version is filled with brand-new illustrations paired with the lyrics and movements that you are familiar with. Here are 10 reasons to love this updated favorite:

1. Captivating Illustrations

The new illustrations come to life, drawing your child into the story like never before. The pages are filled with colorful, action-packed adventures your child will love! Pictures are a vital piece of the learning process, especially for young children. “Pictures are easier for children to recall because they engage both sides of the brain, helping them connect with their creativity. Words can be difficult for young ones to grasp and understand, so pictures give them something physical that stays in their mind” (Sparkle Box School). Images are powerful and long-lasting. The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is absolutely true. “3M reports that visual aids in the classroom improve learning by 400%. We like to see a picture, not just hear a word. We remember pictures long after words have left us” (Growing Leaders). Perhaps Aristotle said it best, “The soul does not think without a picture.” Your child is sure to remember the pictures in I Can Sing from 1 to 10, which will help them tremendously as they commit their numbers to memory.

2. Engaging Movements

Every number has a corresponding movement that will benefit the child’s cognitive development and increase comprehension. “Research conducted on the brain reveals that thinking and movement are connected. This connection between cognitive and motor processes happens due to the fact that movement increases the amount of oxygen present in your blood which then helps fuel the brain.

So, physical activity helps the brain positively affect your cognitive performance” (Bay Atlantic University). Combining physical movement that is tied to the number activates muscle memory, which is a form of kinesthetic learning. This practice can help children remember information by repeating the movements. Gesture or body movement that reflects the concept being learned will deepen the meaning for the child, show that he understands the concept, and become a means of recalling that concept later.

3. Fun Lyrics

The lyrics in I Can Sing from 1 to 10 are fun rhymes set to the tune of “Baa Baa Black Sheep.” You can sing the song a cappella, play it on an instrument, or find an instrumental version online that you can sing with. Whichever way you choose to sing it, the results will be the same. “It’s amazing how song lyrics dig themselves deep into our minds and stay there our whole lives. However, when we want to learn something and try to memorize it, it won’t stick as easy as a song will” (Ditch That Textbook). Not the singing type? No worries, you can read the book instead of singing the words. The rhyming patterns will benefit your child as well. There is a reason why so many nursery rhymes and children’s books have rhyming patterns within. “Nursery rhymes might seem like a silly, unproductive pastime, but volumes of empirical evidence suggest that they are actually invaluable pedagogical tools for small children. Rhymes help develop the memory, language skills, and reading skills in a way that slips in under kids’ radars because, above all else, rhymes are just plain fun” (Learning Liftoff).

4. Counting

Counting from 1 to 10 is an important skill that builds a foundation in number sense. However, a child must also begin to understand that numbers are not just names that they memorize, they are associated with the real-life concept of “how many.” The ability to make this connection by the start of kindergarten affects their future trajectory. For each number in I Can Sing from 1 to 10, there are objects on the pages for you and your child to count, providing the opportunity for your child to move from memorization to the tangible meaning of numbers.

5. Learning

Learning happens through a multitude of modalities and young children need a stimulating environment, caring relationships, and the ability to explore and play. Providing opportunities to try different activities, supporting them, and involving them in the learning process will be a great benefit for their growth. Reading, singing, counting, and physical activities, such as those found in I Can Sing from 1 to 10, are a few of the ways that you can support your child’s learning journey. “You are your child’s first teacher, and your child will keep learning from you as they grow older” (Raising Children).

6. Improved Memory

Music and rhymes from this book will help improve your child’s memory. Many studies have shown that music stimulates parts of the brain that lead to enhanced memory. As well, “Rhymes are one of the simplest ways to boost memory. The end of each line ends in a similar sound, creating a singsong pattern that is easier to remember. This is known as "acoustic encoding" and refers to the ability to remember and understand something learned through hearing. When we see a rhyme, we break the words into phonemes -- the first step in decoding a word. Essentially, we use rhymes to understand and remember a word's sound structure [sources: Psych Central, Kolata]” (How Stuff Works).

7. Development

Music aids in children’s development in many ways, including increased cooperation, listening, trust, improved social skills and retention of information, as well as stimulating development of language acquisition and reading skills.

“Furthermore, kids love songs that include simple motions that fit directly with the words. This is because these types of songs, not only help children commit the songs to memory, but also help children think with their bodies. This is an important part of child development, and helps children learn how to effectively communicate and express their feelings later in life” (Moms).

8. Connecting Abstract and Concrete

Concept books, such as I Can Count from 1 to 10, are an extremely valuable tool for the process of connecting the abstract with something concrete. “The abstract presentation of basic, concrete information appeals to the imagination while also building their library of vocabulary and language. Because the information and ideas presented are concrete, it is easy to create a bridge into a child’s real world by associating the words and ideas read with things they can see and touch.

Concept books are powerful methods for capturing interest while building an understanding of the use and value of written text” (Creative World School). While reading and/or singing the book, the pictures and the counting objects on each page lend to the child’s understanding of what numbers mean and how they relate to their world. You can combine other hands-on counting activities to make the concept even more tangible. Use things around the house, counting and grouping while saying the number, singing the corresponding verse, and doing the movements. 

9. Health Benefits

We live in a world filled with stress, and we could all use some stress-relieving activities, including our children. Studies have shown that singing helps relieve stress and strengthen the immune system while regulating both mood and emotions. Singing calms your nerves and releases oxytocin as well as pleasure hormones. In their article, “10 Ways That Singing Benefits Your Health,” Healthline lists ten different ways that singing will improve your health and quality of life. And they remind us that, “One of the best things about singing is that you don’t have to be good at it to reap the rewards.”

According to Reading Partners, “Reading books, particularly fiction, fully engages the mind and imagination. Any activity that possesses meditative qualities in which the brain is fully focused on a single task is proven to reduce stress and enhance relaxation.” They go on to state that reading has health benefits such as stress reduction, increased relaxation, decreased anxiety, and healthier brain function. Reading can help individuals become more empathetic and self-aware, which can improve relationships due to an increased understanding of human behavior. 

10. Spending Time Together

Reading/singing with my children was one of my favorite parts of parenting. When they were young, they especially loved being involved in the story and hearing my array of funny voices (as well as my off-key singing). Spending time with our children is a critical piece of healthy development, and reading with them is a great way to be in the moment and focused on them alone. “When a parent reads with their child they are in the moment, providing their child with their full attention, and showing interest not only in the activity of reading, but in the child himself” (Erica Komisar, LCSW). Children grow up so fast; enjoy the moments you get to snuggle up and read a book together, forging a lifelong bond, trust, and secure attachment.

Conclusion

The updated I Can Sing from 1 to 10 is sure to delight children and parents alike. Take a journey through the exciting illustrations, verses, and movement all the way from one to ten. With the many benefits this book offers, why wait? Get your copy today!

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