Early Music Education: Parenting Tips And Activities To Develop Music Awareness And Recognition

The Impact Of Early Music Education On My Life

I know first-hand how early music education and consistent musical exposure helps develop music awareness and recognition.

Growing up, music was always a cherished part of my life. My dad would bring a turntable to his trampoline coaching sessions, encouraging everyone to have a go. Meanwhile, my mum, known for her playful Fado-style serenades about biscuits, always highlighted the showbiz aspect of music by requesting physical recordings of my brother and me performing duets.

These early musical experiences didn’t just fill our home with joy; they became the soundtrack of my childhood and helped shape who I am today.

To this day, I associate specific sounds with particular memories, making me very aware of the impact music can have on my daughters’ lives. Fortunately (or rather, very intentionally), my partner Pedro shares this passion.

It seems the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Last year, Mimi’s first request from Father Christmas was a flute, and while she proudly sings about everything daily, Lou doesn’t miss the cue to clap and dance to her eclectic repertoire.

Our family’s love of music shows just how important early music education is and the lasting impact it can have on a child’s life. As we continue to nurture this passion, we hope to inspire other parents to explore the transformative power of music with their children and create cherished memories along the way.

Intentionally Passing on the Musical Tradition

Parenting Tips And Activities To Develop Music Awareness And Recognition

1. Sing Facing Each Other:

Make eye contact and use gestures that accompany songs. This helps your child connect words with actions.

2. Encourage Anticipation and Participation:

As your child becomes familiar with the songs, allow them to anticipate and complete phrases or gestures. Eventually, let them take the lead in choosing songs to sing or listen to.

3. Have Karaoke Sessions:

Create a mini karaoke setup at home. If your feeling inspired you can even set up a stage with a raised floor and theatre curtains for extra flair. Singing along to songs can be a delightful way for your child to practice their vocal skills and express themselves musically. Furthermore, performing in a stage can even boost their confidence, cultivate resilience, develop coping mechanisms, and help them learn how to regulate their emotions. It can set the foundations to fight stage fright and prepare for successful public speaking in the future.

4. Listen to Music in Different Settings and Various Times:

Play music during various parts of your day – during playtime, bathtime, or doing the dishes. Varying the setting helps children understand the versatility of music and how it can enhance different activities. Additionally, you can plan fun trips to attend family concerts or go to baby/toddler music classes or clubs. By exposing your child to live music you’re providing opportunities to see and hear different instruments and musical styles. Plus, interacting with other children in a musical environment can be very enriching.

If you are up to something more relaxing, why not just close your eyes and discuss what you’re hearing – you can even take it a step further and do it in different occasions and then compare city vs nature sounds. This not only enhances your little ones’ listening skills but also works on their ability to stay focused and be aware of their surrounding environment.

5. Be Mindful of Background Music:

Instead of letting music play passively in the background, be intentional about what you play, when, and where. This mindfulness can enhance the mood and atmosphere, improve focus and productivity, manage emotions, provide cultural and educational exposure, and create lasting memories.

6. Explore Different Music Genres:

Introduce your child to a variety of music genres. From classical to jazz, rock to folk, exploring different styles can broaden their musical horizons and help them appreciate the richness of music.

7. Talk About Emotions in Music:

While listening to music, discuss with your child how it makes them feel. Does a particular song make them happy, sad, or excited? This can help them develop emotional awareness and connect feelings with musical elements.

8. Play Sound Matching Games:

Use household items to create different sounds and ask your child to match the sound to the object. This game enhances their ability to recognize and distinguish between different sounds. Alternatively, there are Youtube channels dedicated to this. We have occasionally used the ones below:

9. Draw With Music:

Set up an art session where your child draws or paints while listening to music. Different types of music can inspire different artistic expressions. You can also suggest drawing music itself. Drawing music patterns requires children to translate auditory experiences into visual forms, stimulating their imagination and improving their ability to visualize abstract concepts. Abstract thinking involves higher-order cognitive processes such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. These skills are essential for understanding complex concepts and engaging in advanced learning.

10. Play Singing Games:

- Hum or play a few notes of a song, and have your child guess what it is.
- On bilingual households, sing a song in a language and have your child sing it back in a different language.
- Tap a tune and have your child repeat it back at you.
- Encourage your child to make up their own song by choosing a topic, creating lyrics, and come up with a simple melody. You can help them by providing a basic tune to start with.

11. Musical Storytelling:

Blend the magic of music with the art of storytelling. Play different types of music and encourage your child to invent a story inspired by the emotions and imagery the music evokes. This activity helps them connect musical elements with feelings and narratives, stimulating their imagination and creativity.

Conclusion

Incorporating music into our daily lives has proven to be a wonderful way to bond with our children and foster their development. From my own childhood filled with musical memories to creating new ones with Mimi and Lou, music has been a constant source of joy and growth. As parents, engaging in musical activities with intention and mindfulness not only enriches our children’s lives but also creates a harmonious family environment where everyone can thrive. By integrating these fun and interactive musical activities into your routine, you can provide your children with the tools they need to develop their musical awareness and recognition, all while making cherished memories together. So, turn up the volume, sing along, and enjoy the beautiful journey of musical discovery with your little ones.