What Kids Really Learn From Super Simple Songs

If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve caught yourself singing “The Wheels on the Bus” in the shower—or been woken up by your toddler chanting “Baby Shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo.” Welcome to the world of Super Simple Songs: a place where screen time turns into sing-alongs, and even toothbrushing becomes a musical event.

But is all that catchy content just fun and games, or is real learning happening behind the scenes? We spoke with experts to find out what makes Super Simple Songs such a hit, how to use them mindfully, and when to hit pause.

What is Super Simple Songs?

Super Simple Songs is an educational brand with a massive online collection of nursery rhymes, original tunes, and animated videos designed for kids aged one to eight. Think classic sing-alongs meet vibrant cartoons, crafted with slow tempos, clear visuals and simple language to help little learners absorb concepts without overwhelm.

The videos feature recurring characters, like Finny the Shark and The Bubble Nums. This helps kids remember what they've learned and gets them excited to watch again.

Super Simple Songs has a global reach on multiple online platforms, appealing to a diverse audience. It can be found on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, the Super Simple Songs site and the Super Simple app.

Why is Super Simple Songs so popular?

First, the tunes are ridiculously catchy. Add in bright visuals, adorable characters, and a slow pace that’s perfect for little ones learning to talk, and you’ve got a winning combo.

Lindy Myers, clinical lead at Coral Care and speech-language pathologist, emphasizes the distinct appeal that this brand has for both parents and kids. The songs are super silly, so kids just love them," she says, "and it shows them what language means and the power of it."

For parents on the other hand, Super Simple Songs can provide an entertainment/education hybrid to their children while they do chores around the house. "It's not realistic to have full 100% engagement with your children all the time," she says, "my house always has music on so my kids can sing and have a dance party to all the songs while I get something done."

Are there any actual developmental benefits?

Experts agree: music can be a powerful tool for early learning. The repetition, combined with movement and visuals, helps reinforce language and build routines. "Songs are very repetitive, so when you have that repetition, especially with movement (visual aids in music videos) and a boost of language … it’s really supportive of routines and language learning,” she says.

Special education teacher Sally Macaluso says that Super Simple Songs is one of her favourite YouTube channels for young children. “I regularly use the channel at home (with her kids) and in my preschool classroom when I want to incorporate music and movement into our daily routine,” she says.

Beyond language, these songs support social-emotional skills. Simple, structured lyrics can teach toddlers about feelings, turn-taking, and teamwork—all foundational skills for school and beyond.

Are there any drawbacks?

While the benefits are real, not all experts agree that Super Simple Songs should be a mainstay in every learning moment.

Polina Shkadron, founder and neurodivergent therapist at Play to Learn Consulting, says that she's had parents tell her that their kids cannot seem to actually remember the lyrics because they're coming in too fast.

"It's the way that the brain is processing the language," she says. "When we have so much information coming in from the environment and our brain doesn't have the skill yet to filter all that information, the easiest thing to do is drop it all."

These videos could lead to sensory overload and overstimulation for some children. Research on screen time and child development shows that too much exposure—especially when paired with media multitasking—may negatively impact executive functioning, sensorimotor skills, and even academic performance.

Shkadron says that a lot of the intended outcomes from Super Simple songs can be taught in other ways. For example, a song about learning different body parts can be taught during bathtime. "It tunes out the noise. It's just you, your child, water and some bubbles," she says.

Shkadron adds, "We want to put that (human connection) back in, because that's what we really want, that's what's missing. And then you get the foundations of play in that reciprocal back and forth."

How to use Super Simple Songs mindfully

Just like everything in life, using Super Simple Songs as a learning tool for your child can be done effectively as long as it's in moderation, as part of a balanced approach to entertainment and learning. This can be done by keeping screen time guidelines in mind.

Myers highly recommends that parents use music, such as tunes from Super Simple Songs, in their daily routines with their children. "We use music to build into routines with my kids, such as using the cleanup song," she says, "they know it's time to clean up when they hear that song come on."

It's also important to make sure that when your child is tuning in that they're engaging in active learning instead of just passive screen time. Singing the songs along with your child can help make it a more interactive, immersive learning experience for them.

Shkadron advocates for apps that are more interactive for kids. "There are many apps for writing songs and editing video clips," she says, "those are phenomenal tools, it gets kids interested in learning and builds their confidence too," Shkadrom says it's important to figure out exactly what purpose technology serves for your child's development, and to work within those means.

A few of our favourite tracks from Super Simple Songs

The Animal Alphabet | Learn Animal Names

This slow-paced, fun tune will help your child learn their ABC's with some of their favourite furry friends. The visuals are engaging but minimal, so they aren't too overstimulating.

Old MacDonald! | Animals Guessing Game!

Kids learn animal sounds along with Super Simple Songs character Noodle. At just under four minutes, it's short enough to repeat when your little one says "again!"

Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes

Super Simple Songs' spin on this children's classic is perfect for parents who want their kids to have an interactive learning experience. They can easily follow along with Noodle & Pals to identify those four body parts in a fun way.

The bottom line

Technology can be an incredible learning tool when used mindfully and in moderation. Music and musical programming can make mundane routines and learning tasks a lot more enjoyable as long as they aren't a child's primary method of learning, and they aren't exceeding recommended screen-time guidelines. The goal is to use resources like Super Simple Songs as a supplement to, not a replacement for, real-world experiences and interactions.

Experts

• Lindy Myers, Clinical Lead at Coral Care and Speech-Language Pathologist
• Polina Shkadron, Founder and Neurodivergent Therapist at Play to Learn Consulting
• Sally Macaluso, Special Education Preschool Teacher