How to introduce children to music? Ohana Felicity

Table of Contents

In this article, a teacher explains how to introduce children to music and promote it in the appropriate age groups:

Children and music – from the first introduction to optimal support

The fact that children’s development is positively influenced by extended music education has not only been known since the long-term study “Music (education) and its effect”, which was carried out between 1992 and 1998 at elementary schools in Berlin. The study was led by the musicologist and music pedagogue Professor Hans Günther Bastian and collected results regarding, among other things, social competence, intelligence, concentration, self-conception and school performance in general through the influence of music education. In general, it can be said that children who received an extended early musical education performed better in all areas was granted. Awakening interest in music and making music and maintaining fun with it, however, is not solely in the hands of teachers or educators. Parents can also make a big contribution and discover the joy of music together with their children.

Why making music supports personal development

Learning to play a musical instrument is one of the most complex activities that humans are capable of. Many senses are used when making music and both gross and fine motor skills are important. In addition, a high level of attention is required and you have to be able to make certain decisions in an extremely short time. When playing from notes, a lot of information has to be processed at the same time, which not only affects the melody, but also the tempo, the volume and the beat. Making music in an ensemble or a group also promotes teamwork.
Also read: Child Development

People perceive music in the womb

Scientists from the University of Helsinki have examined what many expectant mothers have long suspected. In 2013, they published a study on what information babies take in and retain while in the womb. To do this, they selected a group of pregnant women who played certain melodies from a CD several times a week during the final months of pregnancy. With the help of brain wave measurements immediately after birth and in the fourth month of life, the scientists found that the babies who had heard this music in the womb reacted more strongly to it than the babies in a control group. Acoustic stimuli seem to shape a person’s brain even before they are born. The Finnish researchers also speculate that that listening to music early can improve later language skills as well as memory and learning. Expectant mothers are doing themselves and their children a favor if they listen to music during pregnancy or maybe even make music themselves. More about language development in children

These instruments are suitable for children:

Not every musical instrument is easy to learn. Therefore, music educators usually recommend these musical instruments for children in different age groups:

Musical instruments for babies

drum
rattle
tonewood
chime

Musical instruments for toddlers

recorder
piano
violin
cello
triangle

Musical instruments for school children

guitar
accordion
Drums
Trumpet
String instruments for children

Musical instruments for teenagers

oboe
clarinet
saxophone
double bass
flute

Babies and toddlers love music

Our grandparents already knew that crying babies can be calmed by singing songs, and almost every adult will remember beautiful moments from their childhood that include certain children’s songs. Music educators believe that singing transmits happiness to the baby and helps create a happy unity between mother and child. It shouldn’t matter which music parents prefer, as long as they like and enjoy this music themselves. If songs are repeated frequently, toddlers will soon sing along themselves and some even invent their own little songs. Even if not every child is born a child prodigy, even small children enjoy making music with simple instruments such as drums, rattles or tonewoods. With their help, parents can encourage their child’s sense of tact. However, parents should not be too ambitious and force their children to learn an instrument too early. Only the playful handling of the music will help to ensure that the joy of it does not expire prematurely. The right choice of crèche or nursery can play a major role in the musical development of a child play daycare . Parents should therefore inquire about their musical concepts when looking for a facility.

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Music in preschool and primary school – This is how parents can recognize and promote their child’s talent

Children who attend preschool or primary school have usually already acquired some musical basics and often express a desire to learn an instrument themselves. Parents recognize their child’s musical talent, for example, by the fact that they show a strong interest in music, like to express themselves musically and already have a large repertoire of songs at preschool age and can sing them cleanly intonated and expressively. Teachers may alert parents to their child’s musical talent and provide tips on how to develop it. In most cities there are music schools or private music teachers who offer instrument or singing lessons. It then makes sense to arrange one or more trial lessons, in which it can also be found out for which musical instrument the child is particularly talented. Here, too, false ambition on the part of the parents is more of a hindrance than a benefit. For example, a child who is reluctant to learn to play the violin will probably never become a successful and happy violin virtuoso. Parents don’t necessarily have to play an instrument themselves to encourage their child’s musicality. But there are many ways to support them, such as: Parents don’t necessarily have to play an instrument themselves to encourage their child’s musicality. But there are many ways to support them, such as: Parents don’t necessarily have to play an instrument themselves to encourage their child’s musicality. But there are many ways to support them, such as:

singing together
attending musical events
a diverse selection of musical offers in the household, such as CDs, records or online offers
creating opportunities for practice
supporting participation in competitions, performances or festivals
supporting participation in a choir, orchestra or band

Possible problems:
In any case, parents should also have a lot of patience, because especially at the beginning of learning an instrument, some discords are bound to happen. But what if the neighbors then complain about noise pollution from music ? When does house music become noise pollution ?

When young people make music

Puberty brings big changes for many children and interest in music and making music can also change during this time. Suddenly playing the instrument you loved is no longer fun and regular practice becomes a chore. Parental coercion then has little effect, because success will only be visible if people enjoy making music. In many cases, the young people pick up the instrument again after a while or even learn a new one. Sometimes children even discover their interest in music during puberty and need support to be able to pursue their new hobby. Parents do this, for example, by buying an instrument, paying for music lessons and guaranteeing time to practice.