Music is a part of our lives in more ways than one. No matter if it’s simply the background music for advertisements on TV, the radio playing in the local supermarket, or that tune you hum to yourself in the shower, music is not a disembodied art category that we look on from a distance, it’s something that very much remains part of us on a daily basis.
Children in particular are highly responsive to music. We see them feel soothed by lullabies and excited by nursery rhymes, and we’re sure you’ve listened to all too many children’s songs on the school run. As they get older, however, it can be nice to introduce them to some of the music you like, and to help shape their own taste. Not only is this a fun way to bond, but learning how music improves your hearing and can actually increase your intelligence shows this endeavor is not only fun, but also productive.
So, let’s see how to best introduce music to your child as they grow from a contributor :
Background Ambience
It’s always good to have a nice playlist in the background. It might be that you curate a playlist of comforting songs to help your child fall asleep in the car, such as relaxing meditative music or artists like Enya, or perhaps you wish for your child to connect with their ethnic heritage, and so you play gorgeous Ethiopian Jazz or gorgeous Celtic music with harps and strings. You can use this to talk to your child about the music, ask them what they think about it, and learn about culture through this art.
Learning An Instrument
Enrolling your child in musical instrument lessons can be tremendously positive for their development. Learning to play develops creative thinking, gives them a wider vocabulary in being able to read sheet music or chords, and will also improve their flexibility, dexterity, and ability to think quickly. No matter if it’s violin or saxophone, guitar or drums, you can find a fantastic avenue through helping your child play and express themselves. Moreover, with school schemes you may not have to foot the cost of a brand new instrument, allowing more children to get involved.
Sing With Them
There’s nothing quite like singing yourself silly when bonding with your child. Singing is not only a joyous activity that helps relieve stress and boosts your feeling of wellbeing, but it gives you the chance to feel comforted and relaxed with the person you’re singing in front of. You might sing nursery rhymes, or you might sing songs that are popular within your family, or you might run a fun talent show one weekend evening to make your family come together and spend time together. Moreover, singing with your family shows that even if you’re not particularly skilled at hitting the right notes, learning to express yourself and to have fun doing so is always worth overcoming that initial insecurity for. You’ll be amazed just how well this works, and how positive you can feel after the effort.