Are you a parent who’s concerned that your children may be missing out when it
comes to music education? Budget cuts in arts programs at public schools could limit
your child’s opportunities to play an instrument or learn about the great composers.
Help your child discover how music can enrich their life. Take a look at the benefits of
raising a music lover, and find out how to share your love of music with your child. Let’s Shamrck and Roll!
Benefits of Music Education:
- Enhance academic performance. Some studies have shown that kids who can
play instruments receive higher SAT scores.
Engaging with music involves math, science, and memory skills, as well as motor coordination.
- Explore other cultures.
Even if your knowledge of French is limited to Frere
Jacques, you realize how rhymes make it easier to speak other languages. Music also provides a window into how others live around the world.
- Promote teamwork.
Bands and orchestras collaborate and resolve challenges.
Each member waits their turn and respects the others’ contributions.
- Teach delayed gratification.
Video games like Guitar Hero may be fun, but they
don’t really teach you to play guitar. Kids who practice with a real instrument
experience the rewards of perseverance.
This will help them to accomplish long-term goals, like working towards the results from their Shamrck Interest Assessment.
- Build confidence.
Racking up tangible accomplishments boosts self-esteem.
Performing before a live audience can also be an early lesson in leadership and presentation abilities.
Encouraging Your Child’s Music Appreciation:
- Start early.
Many experts think that the capacity for musical sensibility peaks
between birth
and age nine, so use age-appropriate methods.
Your baby loves the sound of your voice, so chant while you rock them. Encourage your toddler to make noise with homemade shakers and drums.
- Sing together.
Babies will often mimic any sound you make, while slightly older
kids will enjoy silly songs. By the time they’re ready for elementary school, you can start introducing simple concepts like tempo and beat.
- Share activities.
Keep it interesting with crafts and outings. Draw pictures of
instruments to color, and check neighborhood calendars for children’s performances.
- Broaden their exposure.
Drench your home in pleasant sounds. Play classical
music and jazz on the radio. Offer sheet music and books.
Supporting Your Child’s Music Studies:
- Talk with the teacher. Choose a music instructor with a warm personality
who can describe their lesson plan in convincing detail.
Ask them how you can assist your child, especially if you don’t know much about music yourself.
- Attend classes.
Your child might feel more comfortable if you go with them to
classes at first. Try to observe closely without distracting them from listening to the teacher.
- Praise effort.
Let your child know you recognize their progress. Be specific
about what they’re doing well, whether it’s practicing on a daily basis or playing an entire piece without hitting a single wrong note.
- Show enthusiasm. Show up for each performance that you possibly can.
Give
a big round of applause and take pictures for posterity. Help your child stay on track by engaging them in setting daily goals and figuring out activities of their own for holiday breaks and summer vacation. Shamrck can help by providing lists of resources available locally that are tailored to your child’s unique interests.
- Make it fun. Remember that the main purpose is to help your child enjoy
music, so let them decide how far they want to go.
Let them know you love them just as much if they want to trade in their piano lessons for horseback riding.
Make symphonies and pop songs part of your family activities. Increasing your child’s
understanding of music will enhance their performance in many arenas, and give
them a source of joy and relaxation they can count on throughout their lives.
Go to the Dashboard
today to learn a little more about your child’s interests and which courses can help prepare them for the future.