The Academic Minute featured my work on children's music-making in the carseat on Friday - check it out here: Mobile Music Making.  I've appreciated hearing stories from many individuals on the types of music-making they and their friends and family enjoy on the go!

Music Play Zone meets MTV!

I enjoyed the chance to interact with a reporter from MTV News in August - she had some questions about why infants are soothed by certain types of music.  It was great to share some of the important points about family music making and musical development.  For more, read here!  http://www.mtv.com/news/1896631/why-music-soothes-babies/

Listening Diet

Many “traditional” children’s songs have a similar sound when it comes to pitches and rhythms, but there is a great, wide world of music available to enjoy with your child!  Early childhood is an important time to expose your child to a wide range of musical sounds, including a variety of instruments, styles, tempi (speeds), and genres.  In addition to playing recordings geared toward children, also consider introducing your child to other kinds of music, such as jazz, blues, country, world music, and classical.

When selecting music to share with your child, variety is key.  Select some music with children singing, some with adults singing, and some with just instruments.   Pay attention to the kinds of music your child responds to, and incorporate these recordings into daily routines.  For Move & Freeze activities, I choose music that has a steady beat and is on the fast side of the continuum; since children's heartbeat is faster than adults', some researchers have found that children respond more strongly to faster music.  I also look for a "fun factor"!

Try playing recorded music and asking your child to respond through moving, engaging in pretend play, or doing some sort of art (coloring, painting, etc).   Identifying emotions, images, or stories in the music and expressing them through other avenues addresses affective learning.

There are also an assortment of children’s books that have accompanying CDs – these are a fun way to learn about the stories behind music and experience the music visually as well as aurally.

Turn OFF the music!

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Playing recorded music as part of your daily routine is a great way to introduce your child to a variety of musical genres as well as to help your child learn to use music in her life.  A children’s music CD can turn a traffic jam into a sing-a-long and a lullaby CD helps everyone relax at bedtime.  However, be sure your child has a chance to use and hear her own voice, too, by having times in the home or car when music or television is not playing and you are quiet, too!  It is during these “quiet” moments that your child’s brain has a chance to process auditory stimulation and respond with her own vocalizations.  Don’t be surprised to hear your child humming a known tune or making up a new song, words and all, while he colors at the table, plays in the bathtub, or while he’s supposed to be napping.  Go ahead and make a recording of your little one’s serenades - a delight to your child now and a precious keepsake for years to come.

Experiencing Live Music

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Early childhood is a great time for children to experience live musical performances, but formal concerts are often difficult in terms of length, time of day, and audience etiquette!  Here are some ideas for introducing your little one to live music:

·      Outdoor music festivals and events - children are usually welcome to move, clap, sway, or dance along.

·      School concerts, especially if an older sibling or relative is playing.  Bring your young child for just a few minutes if possible.

·      Music at religious services – sit close to the choir or organ

·      A small, live band at a restaurant

·      Summer outdoor community band concerts

·      Indoor performances in public arenas such as malls or libraries (often around winter holiday season)

Whenever possible, bring your child close to the musicians to see them and their instruments.  Encourage your child to move as they listen, since moving is one of the ways children experience and respond to music.  Make music a fun part of family life!

Music as a Tool for Many Areas of Development

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As a teacher I have a metaphorical “tool box” I carry to which I add techniques, tips, tricks, toys, and tunes!  As a parent, I have a tool box, too – I’m always looking for ways to help my children learn and grow and enjoy life.

In addition to music being an important and wonderful part of life on its own, music can also serve as a tool for learning.  Perhaps you can think of songs learned long ago that helped you internalize facts (such as the “Fifty Nifty United States” song), values, or emotions.  Moving to music activates areas all over the brain and provides opportunities for children to develop various movement skills.  Learning music that expressed various emotions allows children to experiment with emotional ideas and encounter the way others have expressed themselves.  Music can also help bring people together, for in the act of making music together we listen to one another and work together for a beautiful whole.

The so-called “Mozart Effect” and other research reported in the media focuses on the idea that “music makes you smarter,” but the body of research is not yet conclusive on whether listening to music, playing in high school band, etc actually improves academic achievement.  Researchers have found, however, that music changes the brain.  And people all over the world will tell you that music is powerful.  Some music researchers I know like to say “Yes, music makes you smarter – smarter in music!”

As you encourage your child’s development in many areas, consider how music might be a great learning tool for your child.  And keep in mind that active music making is key!

Making Music a Part of Your Daily Routines

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As described above, music can be a great tool as you go through your day with your child.  Consider using music in these moments of your day:

• Wake your child by gently singing their name to a known tune, substituting your child’s name for all of the words in the song.
• Create an iTunes playlist of Getting Ready music, Quiet Time music, and Pretend Play music.
• Sing a specific song each time your child comes to you with a minor injury.  The ritual will help to comfort your child and also help you keep track of how serious the bump or fall was (if you typically get through “This Little Light of Mine” twice for an injury and find yourself singing it five or six times, you’ll know your child needs some extra attention!).
• To ward off boredom in the car, sing songs that allow for new verses (Old McDonald, The Wheels on the Bus, etc).  Create a verse for each family member that reflects a hobby, profession, or special saying (The Aunt Natalies on the bus say “Bring it on!”…The Uncle Jays on the bus say “Fix, fix, fix”…The Daddies on the bus go run, run, run…).
• Include singing in your child’s bedtime ritual and before or after meals.