Thursday: The Importance of the Arts—-“Teaching” Music to a Child

I have read many places that children instinctively have music in them, that they instinctively create music while they play.

Here are some suggestions to “Teach” Your Child Music Appreciation

-Teach your children that music can smooth and calm you by listening to calm music around nap and bedtimes

-Teach your children the rhythm of music from a young age by dancing with your child or holding your child in your lap as you clap or bounce to the rhythm of your music.

-While doing errands we have gotten in the habit of talking about what we think the singer is singing about, what the song sounds like and what instruments we think are in the background. It is so fun to hear my daughter’s responses today the song we were listening to sounded like “hot water” and the next one sounded like, “Dads with violins”

-Help your children or encourage your children when they make up their own songs

-Have music instruments around for your children to play and experiment with.

I recently bought these from the Land of Nod (where they have a great music store now) to give to my daughter on her first birthday in a couple of months, this is a great beginner set.

Band in a Box 24.95 for set

Don’t Miss a Beat Drum 16.95

-Use music to teach your children about new cultures.

-Have a variety of music in your home. My daughter always listens to Bob Marley in her Dad’s car, Frank Sinatra in Mom’s car, and anything from Beethoven to Israel Kamakowiwo’ole at home.

Burgin Streetman recently did a guest post of Design Mom where she shared a list of adult kid-friendly songs to help build your child’s musical foundation:

1) Blackbird by The Beatles, “The White Album”
2) Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys, “Pet Sounds”
3) ABC by The Jackson Five, “ABC”
4) Children Go Where I Send You by Nina Simone, “The Amazing Nina Simone”
5) A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash, “Johnny Cash At San Quentin”
6) Brass Monkeyby The Beasties Boys, “License to Ill”
7) Picture Book by The Kinks, “The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society”
8) Come On In My Kitchen by Robert Johnson,” The Complete Recordings”
9) Move It On Over by Hank Williams, “20 Greatest Hits”
10) Roly Poly by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, “Anthology (1935-1973)
11) Glow Worm by Johnny Mercer
12) Two Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”

 

Tags: importance of the arts, land of nod, teaching music to a child, thursday

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