How to Give Your Child Great Musical Experiences

From their earliest moments, children respond to music. With just a little effort and planning, it’s easy to build on this natural attraction and give your child a wealth of musical experiences.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. By checking them out from the library, CDs of every kind of music can fill your home with new musical experiences every day. Listen to recordings of a variety of music: jazz, opera, rock, country-western, blues, classical, new age, show tunes, etc. Initiate discussion about the music and encourage everyone in the family to make lists of their favorites.
2. Younger children enjoy making homemade musical instruments. While checking out music CDs from the library, you might also want to look for books on how to create some of these simple instruments--or try one of the websites at the end of this article (see Resources).
3. Watching and listening to a marching band is always exciting; unfortunately, there’s not always a parade just waiting to come around the corner. However, for kids, it’s just as much fun to attend a high school football game and watch the halftime show—or even take in an early morning visit to a high school field where the band will be practicing its music and steps.
4. Attending an outdoor concert in the summertime is a perfect activity for introducing kids to concerts. They can be free to run around—or dance—as they listen. And they will also often have the opportunity to meet a musician personally and get a close-up view of some musical instruments.
5. When you think your child is ready attend a symphony concert in a concert hall, look for events geared for children, or, at a regular concert, attend only the first half of the concert. At intermission, buy a cookie in the lobby—and leave. It will be worth the price of admission to go home with your child wanting more, instead of carrying out a bored (or even sleeping child) who may not have good memories of his first concert.
6. Piano lessons or learning to play a musical instrument are both ultimate musical experiences--but not all kids can take part. Everyone can participate, however, by being an audience member at a friend’s piano recital or a school band or orchestra concert.
7. Music schools, museums, and other arts organizations sometimes offer music appreciation courses designed for kids of all ages. Some even offer parent/child classes.