Hello and welcome to the second blog post where I will be sharing activities and some of the benefits of attending a regular music class or participating in some regular music making. I hope that these posts will inspire you to enjoy music with your child either at home, as part of a music class, or even as a combination of both!
Singing is a vital part of a child’s music education. Singing is accessible to all, regardless of ability or social background, and is the instrument that we are born with. It is important that the songs used for the early years are chosen with care and that they are suited to your child’s undeveloped voice. Songs for the early years should be child friendly and should use notes within a small range that will be accessible to a young child. They should also have a simple rhythm and words that are easy to articulate. To grab your child’s attention it is helpful to link the song to something they are interested in. For example, whilst singing the song, ‘Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear’, why not role play with a teddy bear, or perhaps follow up with a chat about toys? The song will be more meaningful to your little one if it is linked to their interests in some way.
Another way of making a song more meaningful to a child is to use games as a method of delivering the song. Children love to play and if singing can be combined with games and play it will be much more meaningful than by instruction alone. By playing musical games children are developing creativity, reasoning skills, spacial awareness, coordination, turn-taking, discipline, listening skills, memory and language skills. Singing games will enable your child to enter a magical world where they can create and imagine all kinds of characters and adventures that they can link to a specific singing or circle game. Musical games are also a great way for your child to make friends and to create a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Please do not worry if your child does not want to take part in the activity. Children learn so much just by being present for an activity or by hearing a song and simply observing. Children are all different, with some needing more time to settle than others. Eventually, when they are ready they will sing by their own choice and by letting them come around to it in their own time in an unpressured environment a much more enjoyable experience will be had by all.
I hope that you will enjoy sharing musical activities with your children at home as part of everyday life and even perhaps at a regular music class.
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Happy music making!
