How to Encourage Your Child’s Love of Music
It’s completely understandable that you’d want to encourage your kids to love music. It’s been shown time and time again that music has great benefits for children. It can enhance their academic performance and foster a sense of individuality and self-expression. It can also boost reading and language skills. But how can you encourage this love for music in your child? Here are some ideas.
1. Choose Kid-Friendly Music
“Kid-friendly music” doesn’t necessarily mean a CD of silly kids’ songs (although those are fun too!). Look into pieces of music that are classics that kids enjoy – and “classics” aren’t always “classical.” There are kid-friendly pieces from all genres, not just the classical one. Look for things like Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” or “Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saens. They may enjoy songs by the Beatles, especially some with the more off-the-wall lyrics.
Kids also tend to like drums, and there are all kinds of drum music, from Celtic drums to 70s funk. Choose some good ones and see how your kids respond!
2. Your Child Isn’t You
Maybe you have dreams of your child being proficient at the same instrument you were, or liking the same songs you liked growing up. That may be the case, but it also may not be the case. Being willing to accept other forms of music is important for encouraging a love of music in your kids. As long as it’s not music that violates your household’s principles and rules, try to keep an open mind about the music and instrument(s) your child enjoys.
3. Sing to Your Children
Babies and children love to be sung to. Lullabies exist for a reason! When you sing soothing, calming songs, it can help your baby and child to associate music with positive and peaceful feelings. The same can be said for happy, energizing music. In fact, some experts say that pregnant women should listen to music to expose their unborn babies to the sounds!
4. Songs for Activities
If your child groans about doing chores or cleaning up (and who doesn’t on occasion?), then try making up fun songs that go with the activity. You can also have songs that you play for certain tasks. These songs can become your “soundtrack” so to speak, and this helps your kids identify music in everyday things. Making an unpleasant task more pleasant through singing and dancing is an ancient practice.