Jeanette Stofleth is a musician who sings and plays a variety of instruments. Along with her brother, River, Ms. Stofleth leads the Seattle band called The Acoustics. The siblings developed a love of music throughout their childhood.
There are many simple ways to help children develop a lifelong love and appreciation for music.
1. Sing songs with your kids. Action songs are always popular choices for young children. They love matching movements with the words of a song. Popular action songs include The Itsy Bitsy Spider, London Bridge, and Skidamarink. If you need ideas, check for CDs at your local library.
2. Dance with your children. Kids often don’t need very much encouragement to get up and move when they hear a catchy beat. Why not grab their hands and join in? They will follow your example and develop an awareness of rhythm.
3. Expose children to different genres and styles of music. Instead of always listening to the standard pop playing on the radio, you could add a little jazz to the rotation of music you play in the car. Or, you could turn on a little classical, folk music, or Broadway tunes. The library can be a good resource for a wide variety of music.
4. Attend live shows. Watching musicians perform helps children understand music on a deeper level. Not only do they hear music in a new way, they are also exposed to a variety of instruments. Many communities offer free summer concerts that are worthwhile. Also, some symphonies and orchestras perform child-friendly shows that are specifically designed to introduce children to the sounds of different instruments.
5. Allow your child to experiment musically. If possible, allow him or her to try out different instruments. Strumming on a guitar, blowing into a trumpet, or having fun on a piano can all lead to more serious study later.
