Tag: book-review

Three Early Learning Mistakes to Avoid in 2026

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Welcome to my community media space for music and learning!

Happy New Year!

Enjoy Ingrid Christina’s original song for ringing in the new year.

2025 was a big year for Sing, Rhyme and Play.

One (1) big international move.

Six hundred (600) streams.

One thousand (1k) live show attendees.

One thousand eight hundred (1.8k) website views.

One hundred seven thousand (107k) video views.

What’s missing from this list? Books!

That’s right. Stay tuned for news of books coming out in 2026.

Thank you for being here with us!

Ingrid Christina and family wish you a happy new year! Enjoy this ukulele performance of the classic NYE song, “Auld Lang Syne,” for times past.

Three early learning mistakes to avoid in 2026!

What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Mine are to stop making three common early learning mistakes. Will you join me?

1. Stop thinking you can’t sing.

If you’re self-taught, like me, you’ll never forget those voices that said you couldn’t sing. Maybe those were others’ voices; maybe they were your own. Regardless, you can tell those voices to shut it. It doesn’t matter if you can sing! You don’t have to sound good to get people to feel comfortable and want to learn from you. You only have to sound happy. So enjoy singing, and you’ll sound better than you think.

2. Stop skipping your daily twenty minutes of reading.

Reading aloud to children for just twenty minutes a day exposes them to 1.8 million words per year and sets the stage for all future learning. Yes, it’s that easy and that impactful. Reading together is also just a really good habit and feel-good ritual. We all need to slow down and turn off our screens. We all need to connect with each other in person. So set that twenty minutes aside for reading together and protect it like it’s therapy.

3. Stop thinking your kids are too young. Or too old.

There’s no such thing as a kid that’s too old or too young to read to. In utero is a good time to start. And when they’re older and no longer want to be read to (this will be later than you think) let them see you reading for your own pleasure. Show them that they’re important enough to make the time for. Show them that reading is something you do for yourself too. Bonus points: Apply the same advice to singing.

What do you think? Are these three resolutions doable? If we commit to avoiding these early learning mistakes in 2026, the year will be fun for everyone!

Your Take – What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

Quote of the Week

When we fall down we get back up!

Rose Lani

Featured Creator

Like and comment on this video to propel Rose Lani to full-length albumhood!

Rose Lani, you did it! Please join me in offering huge congratulations to Rose Lani for surpassing 90% of her crowdfunding goal. Rose ran an excellent campaign to fund her upcoming children’s album. She’s almost there with a solid plan for earning the last 10%. I am so proud and inspired. Make sure you subscribe to her newsletter here to get updates as the album gets underway. Go, Rose Lani, go!

Final Thoughts

We’re so glad you came! Until next time …

◊ Like, comment, and share this post.

◊ Stream us on Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.

◊ Visit Storytime Solidarity.

◊ Be the world we want for our kids!

Ingrid Christina with a yellow bucket hat, a blue shirt, and their ukulele. Text reads, "Sing, Rhyme, and Play" and "The Sing Rhyme and Play Song."

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Support Your Local Bookstore and Rose Lani!

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Welcome to my community media space for music and learning!

Hot Take

Don’t forget your local bookstore this holiday shopping season!

Sing, Rhyme, and Play loves libraries, of course! But there are times when it’s best to *buy* instead of borrow books. Holiday shopping is one of them!

Books make great gifts. For birthdays *and* holidays. And your local bookstore is where to get them.

I’m proud to call Wildwood Bookstore & Market my new local literature boutique.

Later, I’ll tell you something else exciting I’m doing with them this December.

But first, who’s your favorite local bookstore? Give them a plug in the comments, below!

Enjoy Ingrid Christina’s musical PSA for holiday shopping at small bookstores.

A note from Kate Reynolds, the Lavender Librarian.

The holidays are a great time to support your local bookstore. I recommend local bookshops even for people who don’t have kids in their lives. High quality children’s books—like the ones on many banned book lists—make great donations to toy drives and family shelters. If you don’t know which books to get for a child, you can always give them gift certificates. Some kids really want to choose their own books. The specifics are less important than showing children books are valuable. And local retailers are the best place to find them! The knowledge of the staff, and that special bookstore magic, you just can’t get in a big place. Some things we lose if we don’t use—and bookstores are one of them. I’ll take any excuse to support a local bookstore!

Your Take – What kinds of books make great gifts?

Quote of the Week

Some things we lose if we don’t use, and bookstores are one of them.

Lavender Librarian Kate Reynolds

Featured Creator

Once again, we’re lifting up Rose Lani! She’s 1/3 of the way to launching her first children’s album (that the world needs!) and we can make it happen. Watch her video and help out here. I did, and I won a prize—tell you what it is if you help out too!

Important Dates

Attend a Sing, Rhyme, and Play Program with Ms. Christina

◊ Winter Whimsy at Wildwood Bookstore with special guest, Ingrid Christina. (That’s me!)

Didn’t I tell you local bookstores were awesome? Come by Wildwood Bookstore & Market in Milton, Ontario on Saturday, 13. December, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for holiday cheer. And from 2-3 p.m. to hear songs and stories from me!

If you’re not in the neighbourhood, go check out what’s happening this month at your own local bookstore! Also …

◊ Happy New Year to You and Yours!

Ingrid Christina wishes you and your loved ones the happiest of new years!

Here’s to another wonderful year of singing, rhyming, and playing together. Welcome, 2026!

Final Thoughts

We’re so glad you came! Until next time …

◊ Like, comment, and share this post.

◊ Stream us on Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.

◊ Visit Storytime Solidarity.

◊ Be the world we want for our kids!

Ingrid Christina with a yellow bucket hat, a blue shirt, and their ukulele. Text reads, "Sing, Rhyme, and Play" and "The Sing Rhyme and Play Song."

Want these posts as emails? Subscribe here.

Contact

info@singrhymeandplay.com

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June: Three Reasons to Jump for Joy | Join us in Solidarity!

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Welcome to my “community media” space for music and learning!

Photo of the Week

Ingrid Christina standing in front of a brick wall mural of butterfly wings and banner that says, "BE-YOU-TIFUL!"
Click photo for music!

Hot Take

June is jubilant! Here are three reasons I’m jumping for joy this month.

Reason 1 — Metamorphosis

Youtube Short Thumbnail for Ms. Christina's action rhyme, "Where Did My Caterpillar Go"
Ingrid Christina shares her original finger play, “Where Did My Caterpillar Go?” about metamorphosis.

Yes, I’m literally talking about all the new butterflies floating around out there. At my local preschool, I got to watch some caterpillars make their transition to butterflies and it was truly inspiring. Here’s a fun finger play you can do with your kids about metamorphosis.

Reason 2 – Transitions

In June, we look forward to brighter days ahead.

In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is right around the corner. And there are graduations! Did you just start summer break? Maybe you got an award at the end of the school year, like I did!

A certificate with a unicorn on it that says "Unicorn Award for being one-of-a-kind with your own unique style — Presented to Ms. Ingrid on June 6th 2025 by Ms. Allison"
The “Unicorn Award” I received for substitute teaching at my local preschool.

This month, we also recognize Juneteenth—or, Jubilee Day—when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the whole United States. In June, we look forward to brighter days ahead.

Reason 3 – Pride

When I see the pride flag, I breathe a little sigh of relief and think my kid is safe here.

Jennifer Savage, Council Member, Missoula, Montana
Ingrid Christina stands under a rainbow balloon arch
Ingrid Christina standing under a rainbow balloon arch at the DC Library Georgetown Children’s Rainbow Festival.

The rainbow colors coming out in June really lift my spirits. Did you know that Missoula, Montana just made the Pride flag its official city flag?

Why? Because Pride is as much about relief as revelry. Sadly, I recently learned from the LGBTQ+ youth support organization, SMYAL, that bullying is on the rise.

Our LGBTQ+ kids have greater risk of stress, anxiety, and depression than their peers. As they grow, LGBTQ+ youth may face stigma, discrimination, family rejection, and other unequal challenges.

On the plus side, Pride promotes resilience. Every Pride flag contributes to coping. So this June—and throughout the year—let’s do our part to make all our kids feel seen, safe, and celebrated!

Give Your Input – What’s your favorite thing about June?

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Featured Creators

This week we’re featuring Storytime Solidarity and *all* the authors and illustrators in their Pride Everyday book list. Compiled and written by Auntie Anne, this post is a labor of love and belonging.

Click for an exhaustive Storytime Solidarity book list by LGBTQ+ authors and illustrators.

Do also check out Auntie Anne’s emergency Rainbow Storytime.

We don’t always get to plan our programs. Sometimes we have to urgently pull them together. Here, Anne bravely makes these readings available after a hate group disrupted a local event. Thank you, Anne, for tirelessly giving kids access to the books they need to feel secure in the world. I am honored to call you my colleague in Solidarity!

Quote of the Week

It is time to amplify, uplift, and celebrate LGBTQIA+ and allied creators.
Let us sing.

Auntie Anne

Important Dates

-Attend a Sing, Rhyme, and Play Program with Ms. Christina-

◊ Ukulele Baby Lap Time at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Fridays at 10:30 a.m., Ages 0-2

  • June 13, 20, and 27
  • July 11, 18, and 25
  • August 1

◊ Children’s Song and Story Time at the Georgetown Waterfront Park

Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., All Ages

  • June 26
  • July 10, and 24

◊ Dinosaur Pajama Party at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library

Saturday—July 19—at 11 a.m., All Ages

Final Thoughts

We’re so glad you came! Until next time …

◊ Comment below and share this blog.

◊ Listen to SR&P on Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you stream music.

◊ Visit Storytime Solidarity.

◊ Tell us what topics you’d like to see.

◊ Be the world we want for our kids!

Ingrid Christina with a yellow bucket hat, a blue shirt, and their ukulele. Text reads, "Sing, Rhyme, and Play" and "The Sing Rhyme and Play Song."
Ingrid Christina in a yellow bucket hat and a blue sweater holding their ukulele.

Want these posts as emails? Subscribe here!

Contact: info@singrhymeandplay.com

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