Music is fun

Whether it is a rush of emotions coming through your child, or a calming relaxation for the ear, music is a positive and exiting experience.

For most children singing and dancing is as natural as talking. Most of them learn to sing and move along as they learn to walk and talk.

BABIES

Babies are able to hear music before being born, in mother's womb. It is important for us parents to keep singing during pregnancy.

while still in the mother's womb.

Sing simple, short songs in a high soft voice. With an infant you can make up one or two lines about bathing, dressing, or eating and sing to your child while you do these activities.

TODDLERS

Children ages 18 months to three years comprehend short songs and movement the best. Since their memories are not fully developed yet, most of them memorize few words or phrases at the time.

Motion is an important factor at this stage f the development as children move around all the time!

Swing them high, bounce and hop together, while singing.

Try some simplified Yoga poses - tree, mountain, warrior, or plow.

PRESCHOOLERS

Preschoolers enjoy playing simple instruments and moving around.

Sing classics every day. For preschoolers, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider,” and “Old MacDonald” never get old.
Sing when reading aloud stories. Singing engages and involves children in the story.

Invite preschoolers to play shakers and bell bracelets while listening to lively music with a steady beat. Encourage children to play the instruments in different ways. For example, children can slide shakers on the floor, make them jump when held upright, or stir them like a spoon.Create new lyrics to familiar songs. Using the instrument, try The shakers on the bus go shake, shake, shake instead of “The Wheels on the Bus,” or I can jingle, I can jingle, I can jingle on my arm/leg/foot to the tune of “Clementine.”Make nontraditional instruments. Coffee-can drums are a favorite. Hit lightweight, easy-to-hold Styrofoam egg cartons on the floor, knees, or stomach for a satisfying thunk sound. Create shakers by filling empty and clean plastic honey jars half full with buttons, beads, aquarium gravel, or other small colorful items. Be sure to seal the top securely. Check all homemade items for cleanliness and safety.

Moving to music develops children’s coordination, flexibility, self-expression, physical fitness, and body awareness. Teachers can provide many different opportunities for preschoolers to dance throughout the day.

Include music from children’s cultures and from countries around the world. Preschoolers respond enthusiastically to joyous, rhythmic music. Music from other cultures can inspire children to find new ways to move and react to it. ( Abby Connors NYAEC)

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

By the time your child is in fourth grade, you may hear "Mom! Stop singing! Your are embarrassing me." This is good time to let them take the ownership of their music skills. Whether it is singing in the shower, at school, or at the concert.

It is crucial, however, to expose your child to the arts. Take monthly trips to a gallery, philharmonic hall, or theatre.

Look for free events, especially during the summer. The town Green concert series, or theatre outdoors.

As a parent you can support any initiative of recording your child's music (as long as you monitor and check the safety in regards to social media), improvising, or starting a school band.

Any effort of your child making music enriches her or his musical skills, and makes music FUN!