Child with the Earth for Sing for the Earth (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As “Sing with Your Child Month” draws to a close I want to offer encouragement to keep the music going. Here are five take-aways to keep the music flowing.
interact with you child. Don’t speak at them, speak with them. Allow them time to respond. Allow them space to create their own response – musical or not.
Share with them in making, listening to, and learning about music. Share with them whether you a music professional or whether you can’t “sing your way out of a paper bag.” It isn’t perfection that you are seeking. Rather model enjoying the process.
Experience music by listening, by making music, by creating music and dancing or moving. Sing or play an instrument. While you are at it, maybe let your child take the lead. If they want to dance, dance with them.. If they want to sing, sing with them. If they want to conduct your playing, let them lead.
Explore a variety of music with your child. The world is filled with many types of music. It isn’t about liking all of it. One week your child may respond best to classical piano music and the next week they may love to move to Middle Eastern melodies. And, you may find new music to enjoy along the way.
Keep at it! Your child will change. You will change. More music will be created. And, as your child ages there is much more to explore including emotions. Music can be a great way to express and explore many emotions.
So there you have it – five take-aways to keep the music going. Remember, “I seek” and you’ll have the first letter of the 5 take-aways.
Related articles
- Music Lasts a Lifetime (music2spark.com)
- Five Spring Songs for Toddlers (music2spark.com)
Wonderful suggestions JoAnn! It reminded me of “The Wheels on the Bus” classic when my son was a toddler. He loved for me to sing to him every night–though truth be told, I think it may have been as much for the music (if you want to call my awful pitch, tone and everything off in-between ;)) as much as a way to stay up later.
What’s your take on a child who doesn’t seem to care too much for music? My kid’s 10 now, and I’m surprised that he doesn’t seem too concerned with whatever I have playing on the car stereo. At his age I was a rabid music lover and listened everyday…He’s fine, really, and it’s probably more of an issue for me ;).
Appreciate the feedback, Linda. As for your son, we all go through periods of change. Maybe a way to get a little music back into your lives together is to comment on the music that happens in the things he enjoys – TV shows, video games, etc. If he’s a sports fan, ask which songs seem to get the crowds most excited at the games. Hang in there!
Thanks JoAnn–those are wonderful suggestions. Last year and the previous year to that he was really into wrestling and the games on his DS always came with music. Come to think of it, he really liked that. He’s very left brain, which is fine. I guess I’ve always listened to music as a stress reliever, and from a young age (5 y/o) music was central to my existence :),
Glad to be of service. My husband teaches composition (along with many other things). One of his comp students is highly influenced by game music. Have fun explore a whole new world of music.
Both of my parents are music educators and music was a big part of my life as a child. My son,however,has less interest in it. He’s very gross motor driven, so we signed him up for an arts camp this summer where he will “major” in dance. I’m sure he’ll have a blast coordinating his love of movement with music.
Hope your son has a great time explore space, rhythm, and flow in his dance experiences. Some of us are drummers, some are dancers, some are singers, and some are patrons. There is space for all of us to explore & appreciate in this great world of music.
These are great suggestions JoAnn. I have a very musical family and we have a lot of fun enjoying music together. Last week we introduced the kids to James Brown and Parliament! We have many instruments in the house that our kids get to play with. I am hoping one of them will play the drums. 🙂 I love the idea of parents using music to interact and bond with their kids.
Sounds like a grooving time in your house. I love sharing instruments with young children. They don’t have preconceived ideas of only one way to play. (I’m a big fan of kitchen bands with toddlers. My daughter had her own cabinet of containers and pots for awhile.) Have a great time musically bonding with the kids!
Hi JoAnn,
These are another great tips on how to get a bonding moment with your kids. I love those on your list. And some of it I have done already..
Keep at it. And, find your own special times and places to share music.