One of my goals as a parent is to raise musically literate children. Besides the fact that playing an instrument improves brain function, relieves stress, teaches discipline, and improves math scores – it is just plain fun!
I played the violin for a time as a child and then picked it up again as an adult and my husband can play a little guitar. My son is learning the violin and my daughter just plays with anything musical she can find.
Sometimes it feels like playing an instrument and studying music is a dying art. That makes me so sad. Music is an important part of our family’s life. We use it to dance, express joy, relax, worship, and in so many other ways. It adds so much to a road trip, a camp-out or just to the afternoon chore session.
So what can you do to expose your children to music and get them motivated to learn more? Here are a few ideas:
Play music often. Be sure to play varying genres and casually talk to your children about what they are hearing.- Buy your children musical instruments such as recorders, tambourines, maracas, drums, etc. and let them play with them.
- Sing songs together. A good one for teaching about music is the famous “Do Re Mi.” We sing this song a lot.
- If you can afford it, sign your children up for music lessons (or like us, take advantage of school music programs).
- If you play an instrument (or used to), play it in front of your child. Let them see that you enjoy music.
There is really no right way to do this. Do what works for your family. I truly believe that every person can reap benefits from music.
Does your family value music? How do you include it in your life? Please feel free to leave comments. Share and let’s talk about it.
About Janice
Don't get me on my soapbox about the importance of music and arts to enrich children. I TRULY believe that the big reason my twin daughters were both in ELP and now all AA classes with 4.0+ grade averages is because of the passion they have for music. They don't drink, do drugs and are celibate. The proof is out there. It's front of us everyday. My frustration with music and arts programs being the first programs axed from budgets frustrates me beyond measure.
I will get off my soapbox for now but will keep exposing children to music every opportunity I get.
Thanks for your comment. I agree, it is frustrating to see music programs axed. I wish more people understood how great music can be for a child…it really helps them and improves learning in many ways.
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This blog is music to my ears. 🙂
Shana…done!
Hawes, why thank you. 🙂
Love this post. 🙂
Hey. Just dropping in from the blog hop. Would love to have you drop by. Following you now. 🙂
Ginger
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A new follower from the tuesday blog hop. Hope you will follow back. Looking forward to reading more!
http://thesnailmomchronicles.blogspot.com
She looks like she is really getting into her guitar playing! I am going to start taking lessons, next time I come out hopefully we can play guitar together! Love ya.
Our family really enjoys music!!
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I completely agree and am glad to now have a digital piano to be instructing my boys in basic piano and music theory. I love playing myself, but rarely get the chance as the toddler thinks mommy at the keys means playtime for HIM.
I believe music is very important also. Everyday my daughter tells me about a new instrument she wants to try and play. I wish I could afford to buy her all she wants! Maybe for her birthday we will buy her a drum set. Great post BTW! Your little ones are adorable.
We are HUGE music lovers, we have music time every day. I can’t imagine ours lives without it. Your children are adorable 🙂
I sit my 3 month old in my lap and play the piano. We’re big believers in music literacy as well!