How can I support my child’s musical development?

Looking for ways to be an active participant in your child’s musical learning? We have all the pointers for you to engage your child in music learning at home and in lessons. 

Listen to music in the home

Exposing your young learner to a wide variety of musical genres and artists, as well as world music, enhances their ear and their appreciation for music. Studies show that children exposed to plenty of music in the first six months of life may be more likely to develop perfect pitch.
 

Go to a concert together

 

Taking your child to live music performances helps them to better respect and understand the challenges musicians face on the stage and to learn about stage and audience etiquette.

 

Ask questions about songs

 

Just like when you read together and ask them about a scene or character in a book, don’t be afraid to ask your child about music. Ask about what instruments they hear or the speed or volume of the song.

 

Play or sing songs together

 

 Studies show that making music as a group fosters communication and team work skills. Children learn the give and take required in verbal and non-verbal dialogue and to listen carefully, blending their sound with the others around them. Music-making can be a great way to bond as a family.
 

Research about music history and culture

Learning about the lives of composers and song writers and the culture context in which they lived gives us a new perspective into their music. We may better understand their musical choices, particularly those of different ethnic or cultural backgrounds than our own.
 

Engage with your local music scene

Try out private lessons, music camps or support your local school music program or community theater. Teach your child the importance of having music in your local community.
 

Integrate music into everyday tasks

Play music while doing homework, chores or other daily activities to make those activities more fun. Music etymologists believe music developed as a means to provide synchronicity while early peoples worked menial labor tasks like farming. Try playing some tunes while you cook or clean and watch your to-do list shrink before your eyes!
 

Support playful experiences and improvisation

Let children explore on their instrument with various sounds and rhythms. If you have music background yourself you may want to teach them how to notate their improvisations so they can even begin songwriting. Music is meant to be playful!
 

Get excited about Musical milestones

If you child receives an award, completes a lesson book or practice chart or has a recital-be sure to praise them for their hard work and achievement. 

Lead by example

If you yourself are taking lessons, make sure to practice on a regular schedule and attend your lesson. Communicate regularly with your child’s music teacher and remind your child to practice at home.

---