Parents, imagine bedtime struggles replaced with creative lullabies, kids learning the alphabet through a fun and catchy song, and your family bonding regularly through a mutual love of music.
It’s not fantasy, it’s the magic of including music in your parenting style!
Music Appreciation Begins With Playtime
Let’s start with play. Musical games are a great way to get your little ones singing, moving, and composing their own tunes.
Play a fun game of “Musical Statues,” where you all dance until the music stops, or “Name That Tune,” using familiar children’s songs.
You can even create your own instruments using household objects – rice in a plastic bottle shaker is a favorite! For something more structured, try games such as “Simon Says” with musical actions (“Simon says play air guitar!”).
Enjoy Live Music as a Family
Encouraging the enchantment of live music is another excellent avenue in your musical parenting journey.
Look for family-friendly concerts ideal for parents and kids to enjoy together, like a symphony’s annual “Young People’s Concert” or the neighborhood children’s theatre production. Festival concerts in outdoor venues offer a mix of musical offerings, including world music, jazz, classical, and folk.
Don’t exclude dance! Ballet or hip-hop performances will have kids excited about body movement and rhythmic flow.
Tinker With Digital Music Tools
In this day and age, musical gaps can be filled with digital tools.
DistroKid’s Mixea, for example, is an online music mastering tool that allows you and your child to experiment with mixing and sound editing while fostering creativity and collaboration.
Musical Instruments for Kids
Learning about different instruments is also crucial.
Start with simple ones like tambourines, recorders, or xylophones. As your child grows older, a ukulele or a keyboard could be appropriate. Even learning about the sounds of different instruments like a piccolo can be a fun experience.
Natural Sounds
Sound discovery is about learning the world through sound.
Gather bells, xylophones, and find nature’s symphony on a walk – the rustling of leaves, birdsongs, and babbling brooks. Listen for animal noises or the rhythmic chugging of a train. This sensory discovery enriches listening skill and creates curiosity.
Learning through Music
Music can also be a powerful learning aid.
Make learning a sing-along! The alphabet song is standard, but you can create songs for counting numbers, colors, or even history. For example, a catchy song about the water cycle can help make science stick.
For a more structured approach, consider music and dance classes.
Music teachers experienced in children’s education can provide a solid introduction to music theory and performance. Many communities have music day camps during school breaks that provide intense musical experiences. These camps can include instrument classes, songwriting workshops, and ensemble performances.
Discover the Power of Music
Remember that the intention is not to create musical geniuses but to foster music-loving individuals who can use it as a means of bonding, learning, and joy. So, start playing music today, gather your little ones, and harmonize your parenting journey!
