Activities to Introduce Children to a Musician
From the time your child is a baby, she's already begun to learn about music. Babies naturally babble, listen, hum and experiment with intonation, rhythm and body movement, and they typically respond to any new kind of music that you present. Throughout childhood, incorporate activities into your daily life that introduce your child to a particular musician or artist and his style. The more often that you do these activities, the more likely your child will be to develop her own ideas about the musician's style, as well as her own musical preferences.
-
Listen and Move
-
One of the most effective ways to introduce your child to a musician is to simply play her music. Play it during a relaxed or stress-free time. Sing along with the lyrics and music, and show genuine enthusiasm for the style. If you show a passion, younger children, especially toddlers and babies, will do so as well. Move around and dance to the music. If the music seems happy, for instance, say, "Oh, this is happy music. Let's move in a happy way." Your child learns kinesthetically, through movement, so she's likely to respond, and you're helping her learn to identify what emotion the musician is trying to convey, which strengthens her musical literacy.
Go and See
-
Go and see the musician, if possible. If your child is old enough, you can simply take her to a concert with you. For younger kids, look for "tributes" or concerts or baby symphonies that celebrate the musician's work or similar styles. Baby symphonies in particular are tailored well to young children, often using sound effects, props and interactive activities to enhance the concert experience. Invite an older child to a concert, but never force it if she doesn't seem willing. Always provide the opportunity, but let her make her own decisions about what she likes and why, and give her opportunities to share her favorite musicians with you and perhaps discuss their similarities and differences.
Literature and Media
-
Biographies, basic analyses, videos and live recordings can supplement your child's knowledge of a musical artist. She can learn about his style, influences and similar styles and even watch live performances if you're not able to go to one yourselves. Encourage listening to the music without visual aids as well so your child gets the chance to visualize a song's story on her own. If she asks what a song is about, ask her what she thinks and gets from it, then offer your own interpretation and encourage her to study further interpretations if she seems interested in learning more.
Provide Variety
-
Giving your child musical variety can actually strengthen her appreciation for a particular musician or style. It gives her time to absorb different styles and rhythms, then return to the previous style with a new ear, and it becomes a fresh but familiar sound. It also strengthens her appreciation of music in general and nurtures an intrinsic enthusiasm that will prod her to seek out new musicians and musical experiences on her own. Ask your child to identify differences and similarities between the musician and other music styles.
-
-
Every parent wants their teenager to make good choices, but providing them with the information they need to do so can be difficult. Teenagers might shut you down or tune you out when you’re trying to have these important conversations. A book
-
While Disney movies depict sweet images of the birds and the bees flying in between lofty trees and low-hanging branches in the spring, bees can be very dangerous. Known to swarm at times, in highly pollinated areas like trees, flower patches and unc
-
All children, regardless of their needs, should be well-versed in the subject of fire safety. According to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services in Maryland, nearly 13 percent of all children in the U.S. require special needs, which make the
