Music 101

[Jessica at Parenting.com]

Even though times are tight, your children can still learn a lot about music without expensive lessons.

In the December issue of Parenting, we offer these ideas for giving your kids a healthy dose of music appreciation:

Buy CDs of local music if you travel. It's way cooler than yet another t-shirt!
During story time, focus on a composer, and introduce their music.
Put on some music and give them a paintbrush (or crayon). Tell them to draw what they hear and feel. Change the music and repeat.According to the article, music "does more for kids than just get them moving. It also helps them recognize patterns and boosts their language skills."

How often to your kids listen to music? Did you make a point of introducing them to a particular kind of music? Do they have a favorite?

[craftyashley]

My girls love my ipod. They ask for me to turn on music to "dance". I have made a point to expose them to a lot of different kinds- not the typical kiddy music. The Wiggles are banned from our house. It has to be something I would enjoy listening to as well. Then I won't go crazy! I hope it will give them a more mature appreciation of music.

[CLS]

I grew up loving music. In fact I worked at a music store all through college. I loved seeing 5th graders come in with their parents absolutely stoked to be getting an instrument for school. So, when day-care offered a Kindermusic class to my 3 yo son I jumped at the chance. I figured we'd do a few months, and he'd get bored, but he LOVES it. He's been doing it once a week for about 6 months now, and I can't believe how much he's learned. The other day it was raining outside, and he says to me "sshh mom, listen. Listen to the rain music." We also bought him a Fisher Price MP3 player with speakers that he uses every night at bedtime. He listens to everything from Mozart to the Beatles to Jason Mraz. And he has all kinds of kiddy instruments like egg shakers, maracas, and a tamborine. A month or so ago, I took him the music store I used to work at and let him see all the instruments. He talked about it for days. So, for X-mas we, I mean Santa, got him a drum which I can't wait to see him open!

[MamaT]

we listen to music all the time. radio, tv, cds.. whatever. even musicals on dvd!
i took 5 years of vocal music in highschool, so im constantly singing! I also played piano for 8 years.
DS has toys that sing, a little piano, drums, uhm.. all sorts of little instruments.. and he plays and plays.
Music is such a huge part of my life, that I cant wait to show DS how much fun it really is!we listen to everything.. country, classical, oldies, motown.. whatever we're in the mood for!