Introducing your child to music can offer many benefits, such as improving social-emotional maturity, bolstering language and literacy skills, and improving intellectual development. Many benefits relate to how music requires your child’s mind and body to work together. Best of all, introducing your child to music is never too early or too late.
In doing so, you may find that your child has a penchant for it, and all you have to do is help nurture it. This was the case with me; I often attribute my musical talent and interest to my mother exposing me to music at a young age. Here are a few key ways my mother helped nurture my musical interest into talents.
Summer & Music Camps
Whether spring break or summertime, one of the best ways to nurture your child’s musical interests is through music camps. The camp environment is instrumental in building a sense of community for budding musicians. In addition to being exposed to different instruments and genres of music, the camp environment helped me develop relationships.
Every summer, I looked forward to attending music summer camp. I developed lifelong relationships with musicians that I still have today. And the opportunity to participate in music camps is even better now. When I was growing up, there were only in-person camps. Today, however, you have access to virtual camps, which means your child can attend a music camp anywhere in the world.
Build Your Instruments
Younger children love arts and crafts projects. If you believe your child has a knack for music, why not do arts and crafts to the tune of music? Building guitar boxes or plastic egg maracas can help expand your child’s imagination. It can also help them solve problems, including how to piece together random objects to make musical instruments. If you need inspiration, you can check out websites like FeltMagnet.com for ideas and instructions on building all types of musical instruments. Keep in mind — not only are you creating an instrument, but you will help your child solve problems and develop their fine motor skills.
Jam Like You Mean It
In addition to arts and crafts, younger children are obsessed with pots and pans. Instead of stopping your child from playing with the pots and pans, make it a thing. Grab a few pots, pans, and a wooden spoon. Then, turn on your or their favorite tunes and encourage them to go to town. The goal is to allow your child to be completely free and creative in making music.
Karaoke Night
Everyone loves good karaoke. Fortunately, you don’t have to take your child to a bar or an arena with strangers to let them enjoy the freedom of singing one’s favorite tunes. All you need is a TV, YouTube, and anything that resembles a microphone. To get started, search for your child’s favorite songs on YouTube and stick “karaoke” at the end of it.
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