The How and Why of Awakening Musical Appreciation In Your Children
Music is all around us and it has a substantial impact on our mood throughout the day. We all have particular tastes in music that have been cultivated through years of listening and researching certain musical genres.
Your child’s early introduction to music will be from you – the parent – and they will use that as a launching pad for discovering music of their own. Soon after. media and peers will begin to change their taste in music (including their emotions as they reach adulthood).
Creating an appreciation for music at an early age isn’t just about encouraging them to explore their interests but to explore their creativity. Going one step further and helping them pick up an instrument and learn to play can change the entire direction of their lives for the better.
Does your child have a love for music and want to help them take it one step further?
How to Create the Interest (and Start the Journey)
The important item to remember before doing all the research is to understand what type of music your child enjoys and whether it’s something they would actually want to pursue.
Many parents push their children into learning an instrument at a very young age and wonder why they stop taking lessons after just a few sessions. Your child should have a passion for music and it’s your job to facilitate filling that need through the instrument and instruction.
Here is a simple approach to finding their passion and using that to start their journey into music:
1. Take some time to listen to what they enjoy and have a talk to them about what they love about the music, their favorite acts/singers/songwriters, and if their friends feel the same way.
2. Ask whether they would be interested in learning an instrument so that they too could play the music they love. While you’re talking about the subject try to figure out their learning style to new things since you’ll want to find a program that they can truly understand the concepts without fighting against their preferred method.
3. Go on and do your research online and offline. Browse through forums, YouTube videos, scan the social networks, or Q&A platforms. Once you get an idea of what programs entail, begin doing your search for reputable teachers. Sites like LessonRating.com can help with the matches and provide additional resources for finding the right person to teach your child music.
4. Go together and purchase the instrument (which will be quite a thrilling experience). Take them out to a few concerts or local shows so they can feel a part of the music. Sit down and listen to their playlists and ask what music they’d recommend. In essence… get them hyped for learning.
5. When it’s time go with the teacher that has the experience and patience to teach your child the instrument and music theory. Also take the time to create a routine with the at-home practice whether it’s on their own, you joining them, or using online courses and lessons.
Think of how much you would have loved to play an instrument but just didn’t really have the chance (or were forced to play one you didn’t enjoy). Give your child that opportunity by taking these steps.
Why the Music Matters
While your child may be enjoying the process of learning and playing a new instrument there are many fantastic benefits that are happening during that time. A great roundup provided by DoSomething.org highlights eleven of these interesting facts (though here are some of the ones that stood out):
· Children studying music are more likely to excel in studies, team work, develop critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue higher education.
· There is a real correlation between arts & humanities and higher earnings in careers.
· Children that take music lessons develop their brain differently and can improve memory compared to those that do not partake.
· Understanding music also helps with understanding spoken language.
There are a number of scientific benefits to learning a musical instrument but when we get right down to it we can also see, as parents, that it allows children to express themselves. The music becomes an extension of their personalities and shapes the friends and crowds to which they connect.
Will you help awaken your child’s love for music?
Thanks for this blog! My daughter turns 3 next month and we are planning to start her in dance classes. She loves music and we sing every day at home. I cannot wait!
Yes music and dance can liven up a child and used as encouragement for life.