All children are musical, and so is your child. Being human is being musical. It is natural for children to sing, dance, tap, clap, and express themselves in many creative ways to music. These natural abilities can be nurtured and developed, and bring great joy to your child for the rest of his life. You can nurture your child's musical abilities yourself or through private instruction, but either way, now is the time to start! Now is the golden moment!
When it comes to music, the phrase "use it or lose it" applies. When a child learns music, their brain forms certain pathways and connections. This is also true when a child studies a foreign language. More and more connections are formed, and the brain actually grows. Different parts of the brain become better integrated with each other. This may be why children who study music do better in math, verbal skills, and even social interactions. There is a window of time when the brain can form these important pathways — some researchers believe it ends once a child becomes eleven years old, others believe it ends even earlier. Neurons unused by the brain tend to lose their connections and wither. Still, some researchers believe that adults can form these pathways, but it is much harder or even impossible once you are older.
Exposing your child to music is one way to start giving him the musical experiences he needs. Every person's brain is designed to hear music and organize it unconsciously. Researchers in Germany found that the non-musician's brain shows a special response when hearing a chord that doesn't fit with the rest of the music. We've all been exposed to music, and our brains set up expectations for what sounds "right" or "wrong".
Giving your child the opportunity to hear different types of music will stimulate his brain, and give him a love of music. We all know "Mozart makes you smarter"; I find it also makes my son more focused. With Mozart playing in the background, he is more likely to build towers of blocks than jump off the beds and furniture! To get your child to really love music, play it because you like it, not especially for him. He'll naturally pick up your love of music. And his brain will be given food to grow on.
Some parents don't want to play Mozart or other Classical music because it can sound irritating! It goes loud and then soft and then very loud, and in a huff you turn it off- hardly passing on a love of music! I've found some great collections of Classical music on tape and CD that don't vary so much in volume. They are designed to maintain a certain mood. And the type of mood you want is on the title. For mellow morning music you can play "Bach for Breakfast" or if you want calm nighttime music you can play "Mozart at Midnight." These CDs make me so relaxed I'd play them even if I didn't have a child. There are also some in the series designed for children and parents: "Bach for Babies," "Beethoven for Babies," "Mozart for Mommies and Daddies." I like to give "Mozart for Mothers-To-Be" as a baby shower gift. Much research shows that music does wonders even for unborn children. (Read " The Secret Life of the Unborn Child" by Thomas Verny, M.D.).
You can also play music from other cultures to your child. Most record stores have a section of their store devoted to this music. You may discover new music that you really like too! There are also many CDs of children's music and lullabies available. Toddlers like dance mixes, and you can have all kinds of fun jumping around to this music with your terrible-two year old! Another recording that I love is "Celtic Crossing" by William Coulter. Children in a music class I taught at Punahou School were delighted as they ran around to the lively, fast pieces and then were calmed by the slower, haunting Irish melodies. This recording is so beautiful that I listen to it anytime I'm alone and need some rest from parenting! (Order it through www.gourd.com). A local CD made by Pierre Grill and Lisa Leung is a favorite of schoolteachers who have found the music settles their class. This is a gorgeous recording of music blended with the calls of Pacific Humpback Whales. When he first heard it, my son smiled an enormous smile and said "The whales are singing, Mommy!" (Contact Pierre Grill at 988- 4418).
Hear are some fun things you can do with a good CD and a stereo: Rock your child to a lullaby (even "big" kids like to pretend to be babies), walk around the room to the music and "freeze" when you pause it (you can do this walking backwards, walking sideways, walking waving arms up high, hopping on one leg, moving expressively, etc.), draw a picture to express how the music makes you feel (this is good to do to moody piano solos, played by George Winston or Jim Brickman), lie down and listen and try to hear a certain instrument (for example, just listen to the drums or the bass or the flute, or name instruments when you first hear them appearing), shake a tambourine or some maracas to the rhythm (you can fill plastic Easter eggs with uncooked rice to make your own maracas), tap different parts of your body (knees, feet, belly, arms, shoulders, thighs, etc.), tap different parts of the room (floor, window, door, chair, table, wall, etc.), jump like a frog, sway like a coconut tree, twirl around with scarves or ribbons. The possibilities are endless! The main thing is - HAVE FUN! This builds a relationship with your child and gives him experiences that tell him music brings joy.
Taking your child to an outdoor concert is a great way to introduce her to the thrill of live music. Summer is around the comer and there will be outdoor concerts at the zoo and at Waikiki Shell. Don't worry if she runs around or makes a lot of noise! These concerts are perfect for young children. Older children can be taken to more formal concerts. The University of Hawaii has concerts throughout the year for only $5 (Call 95M-USIC for dates and to reserve tickets).
Some say "A family that sings together stays together. "That seemed to work for the Partridge family! Almost all children can learn to sing in tune if they have an in-tune role model who sings to and with them frequently. Singing to your child at bedtime can build a deep bond between you, and calm him so he sleeps. When you have to wait in line or at a red light, you can sing. Some parents can't sing in tune- then what? I have a friend whose tiny daughter tells her "Shhh mommy, don't sing." That can be a rude awakening!! Well, in that case you can ask your uncle and auntie to sing to your child, or take your child to a music class like Kindermusik (see next paragraph), or take a class yourself!- the University of Hawaii Outreach College offers "Singing for the Tone Deaf". One man I met thought he couldn't sing, took the class, and now has gone on to take beginning and advanced singing classes for years- he's almost a pro! Singing together can be fun during the summer at the beach at night, or at a park. Learning guitar is another great thing you can do- if you know a few chords you can all sing Beatles together, or Hawaiian favorites, or some Disney songs your kids love (I will be teaching Beginning Guitar at the University of Hawaii Leisure Center this summer. Call 956-6468 to sign up and come and learn some chords!) These kind of musical experiences are what makes life worth living, and give your child memories to carry with him when life gets rough.
It's fun to play musical games as a group. Musical games also lay a foundation for more technical musical instruction. Just as children train for adulthood through games, children gain musical understanding through musical play. I observed a Kindermusik class and was inspired by the variety of games and the high level of musical understanding the young children displayed. The children were around two years old and they could copy rhythmic patterns that the teacher was saying. I didn't know this was possible at such a young age! There was such a feeling of delight in the room, and everyone, children and parents, were caught up in the excitement. The children were learning because they were thrilled by the games; I could see that these experiences at a young age are invaluable, for the soul as well as the brain. (These classes are available for children aged birth through seven years. Contact the Pacific School of the Performing Arts at 394-6547).
Here are a few games you can do at home
Act out the words of the text as you sing or say:
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around
Teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground
Teddy bear, teddy bear, tie your shoe
Teddy bear, teddy bear, that will do
Teddy bear, teddy bear, go up stairs
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say your prayers
Teddy bear, teddy bear, turn out the light
Teddy bear, teddy bear, say goodnight
Or try this one:
Johnny works with one hammer, one hammer, one hammer
Johnny works with one hammer, then he works with two (Pound one fist on knee)
Johnny works with two hammers, two hammers, two hammers
Johnny works with two hammers, then he works with three (Pound both fists)
Johnny works with three hammers... (Pound both fists and one foot)
Johnny works with four hammers... (Pound both fists and both feet)
Johnny works with five hammers... (Pound both fists, both feet, and nod head)
...then he goes to sleep (Rest head on hands)
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Once your child has a foundation of fun musical experiences, she may show an interest in music lessons on an instrument. Not only will learning an instrument give your child confidence, it will do wonders for her brain. Playing a musical instrument reshapes the brain. Cells in the brain that are active together, such as cells that process information for the highly coordinated movements on adjacent fingers of a violinist's hand, become more closely connected, recruit more cells to the task, and actually make the brain grow larger in these active areas. Letting a child choose the instrument she wants to play is a great way to give her the interest and motivation she needs in order to practice regularly. ABC Music offers lessons in Piano for children aged five and up (Call 593-2575). Your child can also learn an instrument at school or through one of the many private instructors on the island.
Children are remarkable in their creativity and love of new discoveries. Music is remarkable in that it offers so many avenues for creativity and for new experiences. Musical activities are unique in that they necessitate the use of so many areas of the brain at once- listening, expressing emotions, fine motor coordination etc.- therefore integrating the brain better. Music also offers opportunities for bonding and togetherness. Certainly, music has much to offer to you and your child. So this summer, make some music with your child!
| Caroline Bennet has a BA. in Music from the University of Hawaii. She is a classical guitarist and composer who teaches guitar at the University of Hawaii Leisure Center (Call 956-6468 to register) and gives lessons privately in her home (Call 949-4571). She is currently working on a CD of her original compositions. |
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