Playing with Music at Home
Many parents first begin sharing music with their children soon after birth, when they coo, hum, or sing soothing lullabies to calm their crying baby. Teachers know that music can be a great help when children are making transitions of all kinds, and that songs and rhymes help them remember simple facts and routines. Who remembers the “pick-up” song from their pre-school years?
Children love to sing, dance, and make their own music. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) provides lots of articles and information about playing with music at home, found here on their website. Here are some of their tips:
Play music made for children
You can find great music created for a young audience all over the Internet, or more locally you can check out children’s music CDs at the Public Library. The site www.zooglobble.com is a great resource for finding the very best in kids’ music today.
Develop reading readiness through rhymes
Listening to and repeating rhymes helps children learn to match the sounds of language in a playful way.
Sample music from around the world
It’s never been easier to introduce your child to all kinds of music – try playing some classical, jazz, salsa, celtic, and hip hop beats to find what your child likes best!
Learn more about Week of the Young Child and the National Association for the Education of Young Children at their website, www.NAEYC.org