From working with children and children’s choir in the past I’ve noticed the children that are better singers/musicians are the ones that hear more music at home.
This doesn’t mean that the parents have to be musicians. There are many ways to incorporate music into daily life without playing it yourself. If my children only heard music when I played it myself they would not hear near as much as they do.
I think that it’s good to expose children to different styles of music. Let me put my disclaimer here: We do not listen to rock music. The only country music we listen to is Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. We do listen to Folk, Sacred, Classical, and Marches. They also know what polkas are. I just wish they wouldn’t want to play polkas before breakfast! I hid the yodeling cd. They heard them quite enough, thank you.
The library is a great place to find cds and concert DVDs. More styles and instruments to talk about with no money investment. Then if it stinks I can just send it back. Don’t forget about YouTube where you can find a piano juggling act and a guy that plays classical music with bicycle horns.
I don’t think that children only like children’s music. Let them hear all kinds. Even if they don’t understand all the words in a song at age 5 they are learning tune, harmony, and so much more. They will understand all the words later. That’s also a reminder to be careful what words they do hear.
There’s an article at Babies Online about how good music is for babies. Remember to keep it playing as they grow!
How about you? Are you a musician? Did you hear lots of music growing up or can you totally disprove my theory?
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Both of my girls love music and I think a large part of that is because of how much I listen to music and have lead one of our church’s praise teams all their lives. I think country music is my favorite since that’s what I grew up listening to. To hear different styles of music without having to worry about the words, try going to KLove.com or finding it on the radio in your area. It’s all Christian music 24/7 and no commercials. YouTube is also great because you can choose the songs you want to hear. There are a lot of beautiful country music songs out there for those who enjoy that style. This morning after taking the girls to school I sat in my car when I was back home and listened to “Me and God” by Josh Turner. It really encouraged me for the day. God can be presented in many styles of music.
Your girls are less scared to sing in front of people than many adults I know. That has to be from you starting them so little.
My kids LOVE music!! My 6 yr old sings very well and can pick up a tune after hearing it only once, maybe twice. My 2 yr old also has a good voice and remembers songs quickly and gets the tune right…. my 4 yr old on the other hand can’t carry a tune for his life!! The funniest part is he is the one that sings the loudest! They had a Christmas skit at church and he was way off but singing really loud!! Make a Joyful NOISE is all God tells us right??!!! LOL
I’ll remember to pray for him! That’s so funny! Maybe he’ll take to an instrument. LOL
I think music helps in development of intelligence. I do believe that listening to a variety of music while you or your children are young, can help them unlock their “problem solving”, “brain power”, “pure smarts” potential.
Now, if children are taught how to read and play music at a young age…like playing piano, violin, flute or anything else, then the sky is the limit!
I really do think that music helps.
AND LIKE JENDI SAID…. “Children Love Music”.
I’m a big fan of Classical music… I’m glad that you let your children listen to it. Its beautiful!
They do listen to classical pretty often – especially the William Tell Overture. Hi-Ho Silver, Away! They’ve also heard classical lullabies at bedtime since they were born.
My kids love music. My 17 month old dances to it and my 2 and 4 year olds sing along all the time. They sound much better then their mother does. They must get it from their father.
Apparently my 4 year old has her father’s ear for music because she picked up the xylophone the other day and started playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Her father asked her where she learned that from and she said that’s just what it sounds like.
It never fails, whenever I sit down to practice my instruments, the kids are always there wanting to play the piano or recorder along with me. It’s quite amusing but sometimes they play so loud that I can’t hear myself play. lol
It’s amusing after its over anyways.
Your son is really starting to sing out good in front of people.
no doubt children love music and i have no doubt even every one else in world love music. so i have future plan to make my daughter learn guitar, and son with drums.
violinss last blog post..The Secret of Practicing Part 7