Learning about music begins at a very early age. Many children feel a natural affinity for melodies, harmonies, and rhythm. At The Gardner School, music is an important part of our weekly activities for every age. For parents who want to continue sharing the joys of music with their children at home, we have a few ideas for resources and activities that will make your family time together more “harmonious.” Check them out below!
1. Find Children’s Music that Rocks
It’s a well-known fact that preschoolers love routines. They may have a favorite stuffed animal, a favorite food, a favorite toy, or even a favorite person! This love of repetition also extends to music. Your child may have a song they want to hear again and again. To avoid potential musical fatigue, introduce your child to children’s music that you both enjoy hearing. Raffi has been a classic for many years, and newer artists like Caspar Babypants, and They Might Be Giants craft danceable tunes that will make a family dance party more fun. Highlights Magazine also posts Spotify playlists. With their mix of adult artists and songs for children, there’s something for everyone to love.
2. Start Music Education Early
Piano lessons and children’s choirs used to be the only primary options for learning music. Now there are a variety of classes and instruments to choose from that your child might love. When it comes to classes, follow your child’s lead. They may feel drawn to the drums or ready for the recorder. Whatever catches their interest, you can find an in-person or virtual class they’ll love attending. If you have a budding musician, it may also help to find a preschool that has music enrichment activities that can engage your child at their level.
At this age, having fun with many instruments like xylophones, maracas, drums, and the triangle, is more valuable than note recognition and proper technique. Cultivate an attitude of joy and energy around music learning, and you’ll soon see the results: happy children who want to learn more about music!
3. Don’t Forget to Dance
Music education isn’t just about instruments and singing. Dance is an important part of music learning that appeals to children. Children are practicing awareness of their position in space as they learn to crawl, stand, and walk. You’ll often notice children dancing and grooving to music you play or musical toys they may have. You can encourage vestibular awareness, balance, and physical agility by throwing regular dance parties in your living room. Plus, great music can also offer a serotonin boost to both parents and children.
4. Use Songs to Learn New Ideas or Concepts
Rhyming songs can be an extremely effective teaching tool for children under six. You can add a song to almost any part of your day to add fun to the process (or teach a concept.) If getting ready in the morning isn’t your little one’s favorite part of the day, try to add a tune to the process. Pick a song you know the tune to, and add lyrics to describe what you’re doing. For example, you could change the lyrics to Hokey Pokey to ask your child to put their left arm in their coat or their left foot into their shoe. Adding music to your daily routine can help lift your spirits and theirs. Television shows like Daniel Tiger offer a variety of ideas you can use.
5. Explore Music Channels Online
Educational YouTube channels can introduce your child to many different activities and topics, including music. Short videos are great for introducing new music to your child. Here are a few music channels for preschoolers we love:
- Colorful puppets lead children in easy songs that are fun to sing together.
Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
- Updated frequently, Jack Hartmann uses original, catchy tunes to teach letters, numbers, colors, and even sign language and the months of the year.
- Cute animations illustrate original songs about everything from visiting the zoo to spending time with grandma and grandpa.
Explore Music Learning at The Gardner School
For children, the benefits of music are myriad. It can help with spatial awareness, and working memory. Recent research has found that children who played with musical instruments before age seven demonstrated enhanced motor skills. At The Gardner School, we love introducing our students to many different enrichment activities, including dancing, singing, and music-making. Music is a key part of our circle time and activity transitions. Our music enrichment classes introduce children to the basics of music and encourage the exploration of instruments, singing, and dancing. We also use songs to teach shapes, colors, numbers, and letters.
If you’re looking for a preschool that balances academic learning with the exploration of your child’s gifts and talents, contact us today to learn more, or schedule a tour at The Gardner School nearest you.
