Great ideas

by Jessica @ Crunchy-Chewy Mama
(Arlington, VA)

Thanks for sharing! I'd love to know what you introduced at what ages and if you set aside a specific time for music or just strike when the mood hits.

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Great ideas

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Sep 14, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Listening Is Easiest
by: Chante

Since our home is constantly filled with music, our children are introduced to it from birth. They're actually born to music as well. The first way I teach music is through listening to it.

After that, when they're babies, I make sure to get books from the library that show different instruments and continue to play different types of music with them. I dance with them as I hold them and listen to the music.

When they're toddlers, I make sure I continue to dance with them only we're both moving our feet to the beat. I continue to read with them and by now they can point to the instruments I name (some of them). I try to get them at least one little instrument so they can make their own music, but if you can't buy them one, then make an instrument from free directions online.

As they get to Kinfergarten age, I start to ask them questions as we're listening to the music (what types of music is this? What instruments do you hear? Does this music sound happy or sad? How does this music make you feel?). They can draw pictures inspired by the music.

In first grade, they can write a bit about what they think the composer wants everyone to know through the music (I tell them music is an art form which means someone uses it to say something to others). This is when I started introducing notes and teaching them to read notes on a staff. You could get a book with music notation in it to point out the different types of notes.

I love music theory and my background is in music history, so that's what we focus on, but you can take music lessons to whatever heights you can think of. Always try to nurture whatever interest your child has in it. Make sure they understand the why behind the beats they hear and the words that are sung.

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