Parent’s Guide To Help Children Appreciate Music

Are you a parent worried that your children might be missing out on music education? With so many budget cuts in arts programs at public schools, you may find that it limits your child’s opportunities to play an instrument, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t help them learn about music or great composers on your own. You can still support your child in music appreciation and exploration and enrich their life.
Keep reading to learn some of the many advantages of raising a music lover. And better yet, you can find out how to share your love of music with your nieces, cousins, nephews, or any child in your life.

Benefits of Music Education:

Enhance academic achievement. Studies show that children who can play instruments receive higher SAT scores. Music is amazing. Music engages the mind in so many ways. It involves math, science, and memory skills, as well as motor coordination.

Explore other cultures. Even if your French knowledge is limited to Frere Jacques, you realize how rhymes make it easier to speak various languages. Music also provides a porthole peek into other cultures worldwide, from learning legends to sounds that inspire.

Promote teamwork. Bands and orchestras collaborate, and resolve challenges. They practice uniformity and know that no instrument is better than the other as each piece has its unique contribution to its performance. Each member awaits their turn and appreciates the others’ contributions. They learn that individual excellence reflects superbly as a whole, and have the pride of belonging to something bigger than themselves.

Teach delayed gratification. Video games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band may be fun, but they don’t teach you to play an instrument. Children who practice instruments experience the rewards of perseverance and have a better sense of accomplishment.

Build confidence. Physical accomplishments boost self-esteem. Expected skills for leadership and presentation abilities used throughout adulthood can be acquired from performances and collaboration.

Promoting Music Appreciation:

Start early. Experts believe that the capacity for musical sensibility starts at birth, so use age-appropriate methods. Babies love the sound of a loving voice, so chant in rhythm while you rock them to sleep. Encourage your toddler to clap and make noise with homemade shakers and drums during play. Incorporate music into routines like bedtime and bath time.

Sing together. Babies often mimic sound you make, while slightly older children enjoy silly songs. In preschool, you can begin to introduce simple concepts like beat and tempo with a variety of fun songs they can sing.

Incorporate activities. Engage with entertaining music outings. Check your local schools, neighborhoods, and city calendars for children’s performances—exposure to musicals, band performances, and concerts are an excellent way to fuel the passion for music. Draw pictures of instruments to color or make play instruments with craft material you have around the house. Remember, you have a significant influence on your child’s mind. If you’re excited about music, they will be excited about it too.

Broaden their exposure. Drench your home in pleasant sounds—play classical music and jazz on the radio. Offer sheet music and books. Talk about the musicians playing through the speakers. Help them connect ties between current music and the artists’ influencers. There are times when you can trace the influence that crossed genres like classic rock and jazz.

Supporting Music Study:

Talk with the instructor. Choose a music teacher with a warm personality who can describe their lesson plan in persuasive detail. Ask how you can support your child, especially if you are unfamiliar with music education yourself. Check on your child’s progress and share insight into your efforts at home to reinforce the learning.

Attend classes. Your child might feel more relaxed if you go with them to class. Try to observe without distracting them from listening to the teacher. Notice terminology and suggested improvements to gently remind your child what to work on and praise them when they do. Later you can allow them to choose if they would like you to watch the class or surprise you with a performance afterward. This option can produce an excitement surrounding their willingness to excel and adds a little extra practice without them realizing it.

Acknowledge effort. Let your child know you notice their progress. Be specific about what they no longer struggle with and what they’re doing well, whether practicing daily or playing an entire piece without hitting a single wrong note.

Show enthusiasm. Show up for every performance that you possibly can and invite family, friends, and community members to attend and support them. Focus your attention on their performance. Applause, smile, and make eye contact to let them known you see them. Take pictures for family, and share at a family gathering. Allow them to play their piece at home for anyone willing to listen and support them. Help your child stay on track by involving them in setting daily goals and figuring out their activities for summer vacations or holiday breaks.

Make it fun. Remember that the primary purpose is to help your child enjoy music, so let them decide how far they want to go. Allow them to explore different sounds. Go on treasure hunts at yard sales and thrift stores together to find instruments to experiment and play.

Make symphonies, operas, classic rock, and all genres part of your family activities. Have music playing while studying, cooking, relaxing, or any time you see fit. Quiz each other with fun music facts. Increasing your child’s understanding of music will enhance their performance in so many ways. It will give them a source of joy and relaxation that can last a lifetime.