Children's music
Music composed and performed for juvenile audiences.
Children's music is music composed and performed for children, historically serving both entertainment and educational functions. In European-influenced contexts, it refers to songs written specifically for a juvenile audience, usually by adult composers. The genre has roots in folk songs and educational music, and its development has been shaped by publishing, recording, and broadcast media.
- field
- Music
- known_for
- Entertainment and educational songs for children
- early_published_works
- School operettas by Novello (early 1900s)
- key_early_composers
- Gustav Holst, Frederic Cowen, Arthur Somervell, Walford Davies, Percy Fletcher
Lore & Background
Children's music has a long history intertwined with recorded sound. Early record catalogues from Edison, Berliner, and Victor all contained separate children's sections. Throughout the 1930s–1950s, companies like RCA Victor, Decca, Capitol, and Columbia released albums based on popular cartoons or nursery rhymes, often as read-alongs with booklets. Many major stars of theater, radio, and film—including Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, and Danny Kaye—featured on these albums. The mid-20th-century baby boom created a growing market for children's music as a separate genre. Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Ella Jenkins were among politically progressive performers who aimed albums at this group. Novelty recordings like 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' and The Chipmunks were commercially successful. In the 1960s, folk artists such as Peter, Paul, and Mary and Tom Paxton wrote children's albums. The 1970s saw Schoolhouse Rock! and The Letter People on television, and artists like Raffi helped establish children's music as a distinct industry genre.
Reader's Guide
Children's music has historically held both entertainment and educational functions, designed to teach children about culture, behavior, facts, and skills. The baby boom generation expanded the market, and by the late 20th century, children's music became a commercial force. The 21st century saw a rise in independent children's music artists, with acts like Dan Zanes, Laurie Berkner, and They Might Be Giants releasing albums for children. The genre continues to evolve, with rock-oriented acts and hip-hop artists like Secret Agent 23 Skidoo creating family-friendly content.
Did You Know?
- Sesame Street has won 11 Grammy Awards for its children's music.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Children's music as a genre?
Children's music is a category of composition and performance created specifically for young listeners, blending fun with learning. In European traditions, it typically involves adult composers writing songs aimed at a juvenile audience.
Who are the key early composers associated with Children's music?
Pioneering figures in the genre include Gustav Holst, Frederic Cowen, Arthur Somervell, Walford Davies, and Percy Fletcher. These composers helped establish the tradition of writing purposeful music for young audiences in the early twentieth century.
What purpose does Children's music serve?
The genre is designed to both entertain and educate its young listeners, making it a dual-purpose form. It draws on folk traditions and educational music to create material that is engaging while also teaching.
How did Children's music evolve historically?
The genre grew out of folk songs and school-based music, with early published works like Novello's school operettas appearing in the early 1900s. Its later development was significantly shaped by the rise of publishing houses, recording technology, and broadcast media.
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