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Scientists find the formula for the perfect kids' song - and it's used by Queen and Beyonc

A music professor has analysed dozens of children's classics and found that the perfect kids' song has the same features as some of pop's top hits

The secret recipe for the perfect children's song has been unveiled, and it shares the same beats per minute (BPM) and chord structure as tunes from Queen and Beyonce.

Dr. Michael Bonshor, a music psychology professor at the University of Sheffield, scrutinised numerous children's classics to discover the ideal formula that would delight young ears.

He deduced that the perfect children's tune should fall between 60-120BPM, possess a 'marching or swaying' rhythm and feature repetitive, rhyming lyrics - along with a major key, which exudes a cheerful and lively feel.

Songs that follow this rhythm include Queen's smash hits 'Radio Ga Ga' and 'We Will Rock You', and Beyonce's 'All the Single Ladies'.

But these songs don't just keep kids entertained, they also impart crucial skills during their early development. The steady rhythm is conducive to walking, dancing or swaying, aiding in the development of motor skills and coordination.

Dr Bonshor further elaborated: "Children's music tends to have a simple structure, either with a verse-chorus pattern or just one repeated stand-alone chorus."

"There is often a lot of repetition in the lyrics and melody, which is usually in a bright, major key, is pitched relatively high, and uses a fairly small range of notes. The songs have a steady and predictable rhythm, at the kind of speed which encourages children to dance or sway along."

"When there are appealing, repeated lyrics and melodies, young children can't resist joining in with the words, adding actions, bopping around, or doing all three at the same time."

[Gemma Atkinson with her son Thiago]

A recent study found eight in ten children listen to music every day(Image: SWNS)

In addition, engaging with songs can strengthen the bond between a caregiver and a child through synchronised movements and shared body language.

A survey commissioned by toy manufacturer Fisher-Price revealed that 80% of parents claimed their child wouldn't go a day without listening to music. Furthermore, 74% of 500 parents with children aged 0-5 believe music has positively impacted their child's development.

As Dr Donshor highlighted, 60% of parents believe exposure to new words and sounds aids cognitive development, while 54% appreciate that it doesn't necessarily involve screen time.

For nearly half (49%) of the respondents, music helps to calm and soothe their children, while 41% believe it enhances their social skills as they can sing along with others.

Dr Bonshor has collaborated with Fisher-Price to celebrate the launch of its Link Squad collection. A new line of toys that enables children to play along with other members of the Link Squad band, helping them acquire key skills through music by singing and playing with others.

Bonshor notes: "Many parents use music to engage with their children, most often singing to them, playing songs, or moving to music."

"These musical activities help children and parents to interact and bond with each other and they also help infants to develop communication skills, such as listening, turn-taking, and expressing and channelling their emotions."

"Music is often used to regulate mood and behaviour, with many parents using songs to soothe and entertain their children, and this can develop into a lifelong interest in music."

[Gemma Atkinson with her son Thiago]

TV star Gemma Atkinson says her son listens to anything with an up-beat tempo(Image: SWNS)

The timeless tune 'The Wheels on the Bus' has been crowned the top song among kids, followed closely by 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and 'Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes'.

Around three in 10 (29%) have children who enjoy songs that incorporate some physical actions and nearly a quarter (23%) prefer a song that tells a clear story, like Humpty Dumpty's unfortunate wall incident.

TV presenter and radio host Gemma Atkinson, who is collaborating with the brand, shared: "I think music is so valuable for my son, Thiago's, development because it energises him. It helps with his coordination and it's something fun that we can do together as a family."

"I'd say the music Thiago responds the most to is anything with an up-tempo beat, anything he can clap along to or bounce to."

"And he is partial to trying to add his own backing vocals on the school run. If the radio is on, he'll try and sing along with his 'ah ah, ooh ooh' as best he can, it's really sweet."

DR BONSHORS FORMULA FOR THE PERFECT KIDS SONG:

• 60-120 BPM + marching/swaying rhythm + repetition + rhyming lyrics + high pitch and bright tone + simple structure* + limited number of notes + interactive**
• *One section that is repeated or alternating verse-chorus structure
• **Interactive = potential for joining in with actions, repeated lyrics, dancing or swaying

POP SONGS THAT CONTAIN ELEMENTS OF THE FORMULA:

• Songs that share most features of the suggested formula:
• Queen - Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, Bicycle Race
• will.i.am I Like to Move It
• Bobby McFerrin - Dont Worry, Be Happy
• Jessie Jay - Price Tag
• Beyonc - All the Single Ladies
• Baby Lasagna Rim Tim Tagi Dim
• Bjrk Its Oh So Quiet

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