Over the years we’ve dedicated a lot of time on this blog to the huge variety of benefits and advantages that a simple education in music can give to a developing brain. Fostering that interest in music at a young age can be tricky, and many parents might wonder how they can help their little ones – especially those younger than 7 – develop a love for music. So this week we’re going to look into a few ways you can help your little ones experience, enjoy, and learn about music.
Listen, Share & Expand
In today’s technologically advanced world, we have more access to music than ever before. Which is helpful with the very first thing you can do to encourage an interest in music: listening to it, sharing your favourites, and expanding your own musical tastes. There’s some argument over whether children can hear music while in the womb, but in general kids are born without any musical bias. If they love a piece of music, it’s simply because they love it. Genre, artists, and personal style don’t necessarily enter into it. Their taste in music is unaffected by what other people think and tell them they should like. So share your favourites, and try to introduce both them, and yourself, to new styles you might not have tried before. It can be beneficial to you both.
You can dig out your old CDs or records, stream music on the newfangled devices, listen on YouTube, or what-have-you. Just listen with your kids!
Go to Live Shows
There is simply nothing on this Earth that compares to the spectacle and wonder of live music. If you truly want your children to develop an interest in, and an appreciation for music, take them to concerts, festivals, and live performances. There is nothing more inspiring to a young musician than seeing real people make real music together for the enjoyment of the audience. And themselves.
Live shows are also a great way for young kids to learn how to be a good and attentive member of the audience; when it’s time to listen, to dance, to join in, and to clap.
No matter where you live, there are live shows everywhere! Sure, bigger cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal have more opportunities for larger events, but there’s no reason you can’t go to smaller shows too. Cafes often have live music. Take a moment to enjoy sidewalk buskers. The venue and size of the audience isn’t important. The chance your child gets to see people performing together is.
Dance
A simple thing that nearly all young kids have in common is that they like to move. So, dancing with them is most definitely one of the best ways to encourage a love of music at a young age. Young children are still discovering how their bodies work, and instinctively dance to music. If you join in with them, it helps to reinforce the connection between music and movement. Plus, it’s a great way to stay physically active all year ’round! Not to mention the fact that little kids tend to have the absolute best original dance move. You might learn a step or two!
Sing
Singing usually comes just as naturally to little kids as movement and dance does. It isn’t usually until later that they start to become more self conscious and start to hide their voice. So take advantage of it! Even if you’re self conscious of your own voice, kids don’t care! They’re just happy someone is participating, especially if it’s a parent. Don’t worry about being on key, or even singing the “correct” words, just have fun singing with your kids.
Do this anywhere! Some parents have songs for doing the dishes. Others sing at bedtime. When I was young my father used to play all kinds of music in the car (remember that whole listen, share, and expand part?), and we would all sing along, no matter the style or artist.
Find the Right Teacher
Finding the right teacher for your little ones can be tricky, but if done right, it can encourage their budding interest, and inspire them to learn more every week. Learning to play an instrument is both inspiring and empowering for kids, and the right teacher can help them flourish. The right mentor can help your child understand and explore exactly what it is they love about music, and help them see everything music can offer.
On the other hand, there isn’t much that can discourage a young musician faster than the wrong teacher. Poor communication between teacher and student can degrade what interest a child has in music, and even cause them to give it up. Take the time to find the best teacher in your area for your little one’s growing connection to music. It might even be you if you have musical experience.
But even if you don’t have the experience, kids want to be just like their parents, which leads us to the next suggestion.
Learn For Yourself
If you’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument, but never got around to it, the perfect time to start yourself might be while your child is exploring their own interest in music. Like I said, little kids want to be just like their parents, so if you begin your own education in music, it can transfer to then, and encourage them to continue. Seeing you work to overcome problems in your own learning can inspire them to keep trying. You can even practice with them, keeping them engaged with their own instrument and the music. Learning together not only helps you both improve your skills together, it can be an amazing bonding experience!
Music is an incredible experience no matter your age, but the younger you can introduce your children to it, the more likely they are to truly appreciate it. Check out all our lessons and programs, especially the ones developed specifically for children, like Music in Motion and Kidzrock!