As parents we don’t need to be ‘musical’ to give our children a good start musically. The secret lies in our enjoyment, enthusiasm, and confidence.
Enjoy music in our own lives
Enjoyment is infectious. If we really appreciate music our children will also. It is ideal to be really feeling it, really listening, responding, dreaming, singing or moving; being present to the music in a fully engaged way.
Grow in Confidence
Making music work with children is not about being a better singer. Our voices are fine. Young children don’t judge us by our singing voices. They usually think that mum and dad’s singing is the best in the world! So just do it, and know you’re doing well. We all can sing, chant and make funny sounds. Simple is fine, and most kids’ songs are easy to learn. The more we make music the more confident we become.
Provide Variety
It’s great for children to be exposed to a wide variety of musical styles. As they grow, they'll have more chance of finding what music makes their hearts sing. If many of those styles are available as children’s music, even better. A household with a musical mono-diet, even the loftiest of classical composers, is not doing its children as much favour as one with varied taste. Seek meaningful experience with a range of quality music: rock, jazz, classical, blues, hip-hop, gospel, dub, reggae …
Daily Musical Moments
Enjoy a few, vibrant musical moments each day with the kids, rather than exposing them to a constant ‘audio-junk’ diet of commercial radio or television.
'Musical moments' can be as simple as enthusiastically singing with a few lines of something on the radio, doing a few dance movements, or spending a few moments with an instrument. Other ideas are singing a phrase in a humorous, dramatic style instead of speaking it - (opera style); for instance "Time for your bath" in a spontaneous melody or even a grand flourish using the first notes of Beethoven's 5th; (the more dramatic the more the impact!).
'Tune in’ to the children and we will also be tuning into ourselves, our rhythms, emotions, voices, expression, imagination and creativity. This empowers children to enjoy doing the same.
Support Each Other
Talking with other parents about what we’d like to do can be enough to get our daily musical moments happening. Or join forces to get a few ‘do-it-yourself’ music sessions started. Get together to sing, shake, rattle & roll with a neighbour or friends from playgroup etc: it costs nothing!
Also, community music sessions for babies and preschoolers are a great support to parents. They are usually relaxed and friendly with a format of learning through play, which is excellent for under fives. Classes at this age are fun for everyone.
See that kids get to listen to & play music - not just to watch it!
Children are becoming addicted to TV and DVD’s at an increasingly young age. To stay the inevitable, it is good to offer stimulating alternatives to the screen. Think one step ahead so that when we hear, “I want to watch ...” we can quickly suggest an alternative activity – drawing, trampoline, helping us chop the veggies, fold the washing etc. Have a selection of CD’s that the children can enjoy as they play or as they settle at night. Play music in the car and sing in the bath.
Keep it Simple
The best musical gift we can give young children is to sing with them on our knee, or rock them to sleep – the way it has been one since the dawn of time. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers learn directly through the senses: hands-on is always best; movement is natural; sensory learning is of the essence. Remember our heritage. What did our ancestors do? They were more musically active than we are today! Simple is always best.
A Few Tings to Try
Action songs are fun. Do the movements together. Play a music game or two. Remember Ring-o-rosy and the Hokey Kokey, Incy Wincy Spider, and Where is Thumbkin? … of course you do!
Borrow a selection of children’s CD’s or nursery rhyme books from the library. They are a great help in deciding which titles we choose to buy. Plus it exposes everyone to a good variety. If the music is awful, then we don’t need to play it; we can simply return it.
To build your confidence and compete with television, try using props, e.g. singing Old McDonald with kids’ soft toy animals, or as we turn the pages of a farm animal picture book. Dance with ribbons or around a pot plant that is posing as a mulberry bush.
Get out some instruments. If we ‘can’t play,’ remember we’re on a level playing field with our children. Play a shaker or tap out a rhythm on a drum or tambourine. If there are no instruments in the house, try the traditional toddler favourite - the pot and wooden spoon!
PS
From a site dedicated to Larry La Price, who wrote the Hokey Kokey and died peacefully, aged 93 … “the most traumatic part for his family was getting him into his coffin. They put his left leg in, and then the trouble started.”
Last Updated: May 02, 2008