Teaching Children About Inclusion and Acceptance Through The Family Book and The Family Song

When I discovered "The Family Book" by Todd Parr in 2016, it touched me deeply. The message that “all families are different, and all families are special” is one I wanted all kids to hear. I wanted to memorize the book, and for me, the best way to memorize anything is to create a song.


So, I turned the words of “The Family Book” by Todd Parr into a song, called “The Family Song”! I also made a music video that goes through every page of the book. It’s a video you can sing along and read along with!

Watch and Listen on YouTube:

 

GET THE BOOK:

Click this link to buy Todd Parr's "The Family Book" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3W2lzli

Use the song and the book together for a powerful, memorable experience!

 

About "The Family Song" by Lindsay Muller

Lindsay Muller's song "The Family Song" is a heartwarming tribute to the importance of family. The song's catchy melody and simple, yet powerful lyrics make it a favorite among families and educators alike. When used together with the accompanying book, "The Family Book," the power of the song is amplified, creating a truly powerful and transformative experience. Here are a few reasons why using song and book together is so effective:

 

  • It engages multiple senses

By using song and book together, we engage multiple senses at once. We hear the melody of the song, read the lyrics in the book, and see the illustrations on the pages. This multi-sensory experience can help to cement the message of the song and book in our minds, making it more memorable and impactful.

 

  • It reinforces key concepts

The lyrics of "The Family Song" and the message of "The Family Book" both emphasize the importance of family and the many ways in which families can come in all shapes and sizes. By using the song and book together, we reinforce these key concepts and help children to internalize them.

 

  • It creates a shared experience

When families or classrooms sing "The Family Song" and read "The Family Book" together, it creates a shared experience that can be incredibly powerful. Everyone is experiencing the same message at the same time, which can help to foster a sense of connection and belonging.

 

  • It promotes literacy

Using song and book together can also promote literacy. By reading the lyrics of the song in the book, children are exposed to the written word in a fun and engaging way. This can help to build early literacy skills and foster a love of reading.

 

  • It enhances emotional connection

Finally, using song and book together can enhance emotional connection. The message of "The Family Song" and "The Family Book" is one of love, acceptance, and connection. By singing the song and reading the book together, families and classrooms can strengthen their emotional bonds and build deeper connections with one another.

In conclusion, using song and book together, as in the case of Lindsay Muller's "The Family Song" and "The Family Book," can be an incredibly powerful tool for teaching and connection. By engaging multiple senses, reinforcing key concepts, creating shared experiences, promoting literacy, and enhancing emotional connection, song and book can be a transformative experience for families and classrooms alike.

 

About "The Family Book" by Todd Parr

"The Family Book" by Todd Parr is a children's book that celebrates the diversity of families. It's a simple yet powerful book that teaches kids that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that love is what makes a family.

The book begins by asking the question, "What is a family?" and goes on to answer that question in a beautiful and inclusive way. It acknowledges that some families have one parent, while others have two or more. It talks about families with different skin colors, languages, and cultures. It also recognizes that some families have pets, while others do not.

 

Throughout the book, Parr uses simple and colorful illustrations to depict different families. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, and they show families doing all kinds of activities together, from cooking to playing to traveling.

 

One of the strengths of "The Family Book" is its message of acceptance and inclusivity. It shows kids that no matter what their family looks like, they are still loved and valued. This is an important message, especially for kids who may feel different or left out because of their family structure.

 

Another strength of the book is its simplicity. The language is easy to understand, and the illustrations are engaging and fun. This makes it a great book for young children, who can learn about different kinds of families in a way that is accessible to them.

 

Overall, "The Family Book" is a beautiful celebration of diversity and love. It's a book that every child should have in their library, and every parent should read to their children. It's a reminder that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that what matters most is the love we share.

 

Lyrics to "The Family Song":

 

Some families are big 

Some families are small 

Some families are the same color 

Some families are different colors 

 

All families like to hug each other 

All families like to hug each other 

All families like to hug each other 

All families 

 

Some families live near each other 

Some families live far from each other 

Some families look alike 

Some families look like their pets 

 

All families are sad when they lose someone they love 

All families are sad when they lose someone they love 

 

Some families have a stepmom (or stepdad or stepbrothers or stepsisters) 

Some families adopt children 

Some families have two moms or two dads and 

some have one parent instead of two 

 

All families like to celebrate special days together 

All families like to celebrate special days together 

 

Some families eat the same things 

Some families eat different things 

Some families like to be quiet (shhh) 

Some families like to be noisy 

Some families like to be clean 

Some families like to be messy 

Some families live in a house by themselves and 

Some live in a house with other families 

 

All families can help each other 

Help each other be strong 

All families can help each other 

Help each other be strong 

Can help each other be strong 

 

There are lots of different ways to be a family. Your family is special no matter what kind it is.

Leave a comment

Click the logo to subscribe to Lindsay's YouTube Channel!