Tips for Exposing Kids to a Variety of Music
As we read various studies and other reports about the benefits of music for children, it may cause you to wonder what kind of music? Classical music is usually assumed to be the music of choice for kids by their parents and educators, but is it the only kind of music from which kids can benefit? It may be that a variety of music is actually best.
Here are some tips for exposing kids to a variety of music, as well as to some reasons why it can benefit them.
1. Developing a Preference
As children listen to a variety of musical genres, it helps them define their individual tastes. Having this sense of individuality can be empowering for kids, and helps them gain a sense of identity. This can develop into a healthy sense of individual freedom – it becomes “their” music, and it both sets them apart and helps them socially.
2. Match the Mood
One way to get your kids to listen to a variety of musical types is to play music that reflects your kids’ moods. This is easiest when your kids are very young, but you can still play mood-appropriate music for any age. Doing this helps them identify their emotions, and gives you the opportunity to play whatever genre fits.
3. Opera? Really?
Many adults cringe at the idea of taking children to an opera. But you don’t have to sit through a complicated, multi-act opera in a foreign language to appreciate it. With little children, you can do an “opera” of your own, singing your “lines” instead of saying them. For older kids, you can watch segments of an opera or famous scenes so they can get a feel for the genre.
4. Concerts
As long as it’s age-appropriate and parent-approved, let your children attend as many concerts as possible, with as wide a variety as possible. Take them to see your local drum corps, or take them to an outdoor bluegrass festival. This also helps children see music in a lot of different settings, and they can see the wide variety of people and instruments that make music.
5. Just Play It
Try to set up your home so that radios, CD players, computers with speakers, and so forth are in the rooms where your family spends a lot of time. Then you can turn on the radio, pop in a CD, or set up the computer with streaming music any time. It doesn’t have to be loud (in fact, it’s better if it’s not too loud). Just let music play often and choose a wide variety, and your children will notice.