A recent post by Marilyn Price-Mitchell titled Are We Over Stimulating Young Children? has a summary of Dr. Dimitri Christakis’s study including a TEDxRainier video I encourage you to watch.
The research indicates prolonged exposure to rapid image changes (e.g.- action packed TV programs) during critical periods of early development can increase the chance a child will have difficulty attending to tasks at school. It is interesting that slower paced educational television programs pose no increased risk. “Appropriate” cognitive stimulation reduced the chances of cognitive problems later in life.
For me, the big take away is children need frequent quality INTERACTION with adults providing stimulation. In other words, you the parent/caregiver are the most important aspect to your child’s development now and to how they will focus and react in the future. Media is not a substitute.
What does that mean as far as sharing music with your child?
A mother holds up her child. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
It means not just popping in a DVD or turning on your mp3 list of children’s music. It means singing with your child. If you don’t think you sing well, sing anyway. (It is okay to sing along with the recording.) Imitate the child’s sounds. let them imitate yours.
It means creating music with your child. You don’t own an instrument? Then make one! Lots of found objects make great instruments. And, there are lots of great resources for creating others.
It means moving with your child. It means letting them take the lead. You can dance with each other, include the stuffed toys or dolls or scarves.
Here’s something to try!
NORFOLK, Va. (July 25, 2007) - A young girl throws a paper airplane during a paper-airplane-throwing contest aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Patrick Gearhiser (RELEASED) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Appropriate stimulation doesn’t require tons of money. It requires you being fully present. I love sharing ideas that have little to no cost for you to share with a child.
For example, May 26th is Paper Airplane Day. Celebrate it with a child. An infant might enjoy watching a paper airplane. A Toddler might like to chase after the plane. (Yes, you will likely need to make many as they will get crumpled, but let’s be honest – that’s half the fun.) With older children, let them take the lead. Have them select which design to try. Let them decide how to decorate the plane. See who can get a plain to fly the furthest. Have fun with it!
AND, if you have an elementary age child, be sure and sing this silly camp song together – mispronounced words and all!
If you enjoyed this simple idea you can sign up to receive 4 FREE weeks of ideas here.
Now, share your favorite ways to interact with your child in the comments below.
Related articles
- TEDxRainier: Media and Children (seeker401.wordpress.com)
This is great, JoAnn! I can definitely see how young children can be overstimulated by lots of media. Of course, lots of action of any kind can be overstimulating. My daughter is sleeping right now after a morning of story time at the library and playing with other kids at the Y. I think when I’m interacting with her directly, I have a better sense of when she needs a break. I’ve also noticed that I can sometimes be the person who pushes too hard to do something more active, because I can’t stand to be still for long. Yesterday, Alice sat at the top of the slide at the playground for several minutes, giggling at everything she could see from up high. No one was behind her in line, so she was just enjoying the sights. It’s quite the life lesson to learn to slow down from a toddler!
It is a chalenge to let your child take the lead. But, as your slide example showed, it has rewards. Thanks for sharing your observations, Rachelle!
JoAnn,
This captures several important ideas. Music in all forms is a big deal at our house. We haven’t done any formal music education yet, but our living room includes a kid-size guitar, a piano, a pile of kid-size drums, and a bunch of hand instruments. U an struck by how often my kids will make up their own songs. And I think that all of us need reminders to slow down and show up for strong relationships.
Warmly,
Ann
Slowing down and showing up are so important in relationships. So glad to hear your children like to create their own songs. Creativity requires opportunity and nurturing just like so many other skills in life. It will be fun for you to see where their creating leads them in the future. Our daughter used to put on skits for us as a child. Now she enjoys being part of high school plays and singing in choir.
A social story describes a situation an individual has difficulty with and tells what to expect from other people in that situation and what is expected from the individual.
Laura can you help me connect the dots from social story to stimulation?
Hey JoAnn – great post! take care, K
Thanks, Kathy!
Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for the excellent thoughts about the effects of fast-paced electronic media versus educational content and just making music. Your suggestions for making and enjoying music with children are great. I agree–don’t worry about whether you are a good singer, just enjoy the music and movement together.
Best,
Carolyn
Let the fun begin!
Hi Joanne, I really like this post. Especially the part about being fully present and engaging with your children. The kids don’t care if you are a good singer or not. They have fun no matter what! Actually it is kind of liberating. I am an awful musician but when we sing and dance around the house my kids think I am a rock star 🙂
Thanks for the great suggestions. Best, Allison
Know that you are rocking your children’s world. Happy music making, Allison!