Choosing the albums that best suit your child could be a little overwhelming. But UCA provides two easy ways; an activity range, looking at what activities children like to do, and an age range.
Every child is different, so the age printed on the cover of any given UCA album is only a general recommendation. Listen to the sample music clips, which will give you a clearer idea of what will best suit your child. Several of our age categories are self explanatory, so we will just comment on the exceptions …
All Ages
These albums vary from being ideal for literally all ages, including adults, to albums more suited to four or five years upwards, and others for children of varying ages. So, as this is a general category, use the sample music clips to help you decide.
6 – 10 years
In this commercial world it can be difficult to find children’s music for kids older than five since, unless there is a big demand, major record companies will not invest.
By the time most children start school their loyalties are already crossing to mainstream pop & hip-hop. Many parents feel unable to stem the tide of kids’ enthusiasm for teenage music and we worry about how the pervasive themes of sex & violence will affect young minds. It is impossible to entirely protect children from these influences, but we can divert their attention, enticing them with exciting music set in their own world.
With the belief that childhood is precious, UCA invests in albums for kids up to ten years old. It is satisfying to support parents and teachers who are encouraging children to stay young & innocent as long as possible.
Many ten year olds enjoy our 6 – 10 years albums, while others may not respond in case it makes them appear ‘not cool’ to their peers. We can’t avoid that, but we can encourage those who are still able to, to be kids.
Four Going on Fourteen
A number of parents find their three and four year olds absolutely love the albums recommended for 6 – 10 year olds. There is nothing wrong with this since, even though they might not ‘get the ‘plot’, the themes are still in the child’s world.
Young children enjoying older kids’ albums doesn’t make that music ‘babyish’ since most children also like to ‘listen upwards’ of their age; that is where their heroes live.
What is important is that children are exposed to a wide range of musical styles, and that they’re given plenty of opportunity to enjoy albums designed for their own age group.
If children avoid the age-appropriate albums while in company or they want a DVD instead, play the age-appropriate CD’s at other times: in the car, at quiet times, when they’re happily playing on their own, or at bed time. It is surprising how often children, albeit secretly, enjoy developmentally appropriate music; it frees them from over-stimulation and the constant societal pressure to grow up.
Last Updated: September 18, 2007