Enjoy today’s guest post on music activities for kids and discovering your child’s musical talents from Sandra Bullok with Gibson Guitars Music Shop Leicester from the UK. To me this is a great article if you are thinking about scheduling some summer music activities for your child.
Do you remember what music you listened to as a child and then later on as you grew up into a young adult? It is surprising how strong some musical memories can be; some songs just stick with you, especially if they meant a lot at one point or another. A lot of people find that music can help them to get through difficult situations such as facing the loss of a loved one, or even just coping with a lot of revision.
That is why you might be interested in helping your own child to discover their own musical identity so they can rely on it for the years to come. You don’t have to pigeonhole them into one single genre – or force them to like what you do, but by a bit of gentle exploration they may find a passion hidden deep inside them. They will come back to this at moments of need, just like you did yourself, and probably still do.
So how can you start this process? by thinking about music activities for kids that foster their knowledge of music and explore the different genres. There are a number of ways to do it, so we’ll cover just a few of them here. With any luck, both you and your child will benefit from what you read today…
Get out to gigs and concerts
There are so many events and music activities for kids taking place in the UK and US so there really isn’t an excuse not to get tickets for a couple each year. It takes just a bit of research to see what is available in the area you live in. Some do allow children when they are supervised by an adult (i.e. you) so try and pick a selection of different genres to test. Seated sections are probably best for younger children as they will be able to see a bit more unless you hoist them onto your shoulders in the standing area. Your child might be tempted to subscribe to popular groups such as 1D and the like, but you should try and get them into music rather than hysteria.
Buy them an instrument
Kids are notorious for starting hobbies and dropping them within a week, but a teen or pre-teen may have the tendency to stick with something for a much longer period. Therefore it could be the ideal period to introduce them to a musical instruments. UK visitor? Have a wander around the high street
and you might discover something like the Gibson guitars music shop in Leicester. Let them test a couple of instruments and they will figure out what they want soon enough. Let older kids explore music technology resources as a way to get them motivated toward music.Want to try out an instrument at home or use it as a Christmas gift? Try a Piano learning software for kids where children can explore an instrument through games at their own home.
and you might discover something like the Gibson guitars music shop in Leicester. Let them test a couple of instruments and they will figure out what they want soon enough. Let older kids explore music technology resources as a way to get them motivated toward music.Want to try out an instrument at home or use it as a Christmas gift? Try a Piano learning software for kids where children can explore an instrument through games at their own home.
Visit a festival
We all get festival fever during the summer, and music festivals can be a great way to spend time with the family and get your child engaged in music. So rock out in your cool parent attire and bring your kids along. Many campsites have special areas for families so you won’t be disrupted by crazy 19 year olds who only need one hour of sleep for the whole weekend. It will all be worth it to
listen to many different bands during the day time.
listen to many different bands during the day time.
Research new bands together
You can even do a little bit of musical education when you are sitting at home together. There are often up and coming bands featured on music channels, and there are some brilliant old documentaries shown about musicians. Try and listen to something different every time you have a car journey to really get your child thinking about what they are listening to. Exploring different bands together is a great for music activities for kids. You can do it at any age and go as deep as you and your child wish.
Great ideas!! Our three daughters each have distinct musical tastes…their instruments of choice were guitar, flute, & drums respectively; their favorite styles are hip-hop, classical, & pop/rock. It's neat to see how uniquely they're each wired. 🙂 Thanks for the additional suggestions on how to encourage them!
I'm visiting from the Mommy Monday link-up!
~Lisha
Lisha, yes children are wired very differently and so are musical instruments and musical styles:) this is the beauty of exploring music!
Thank you for your comment!
This is an excellent post that ALL parents should read! I pinned it to my "parenting" board on Pinterest. BTW, our sons' first concert was Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello!
I should do more with this. I'm not that into music myself, but I have tried to encourage my hubby to take H to a few concerts and even taken him to one myself plus an musical exhibition. We've had a bit of a break though.
Thank you for your comments, Bonnie and Erica.
Erica, have fun exploring music with your family. I hope this site can be of help in the process.
Such an informative post! My son is still a newborn, but I'll be keeping this in mind for when he gets older.
Tenns @ New Mama Diaries
Thank-you for sharing and linking your wonderful post to "The Most Fabulous Link-up Jol" My daughter is only 3, and loves music, unfortunately we live very far from any town or teachers.
I am following you on a variety of different social media.
Keren (From the blog: Fabulous-farmliving)
This is a great post! Both my son and I love music, and we spend lots of time enjoying it together. I haven't fully figured out what music he'll turn out liking in the future, but I'm happy to engage him in all types of music so that he'll identify his music personality.
Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesdays! We love having you! 🙂
Natasha, Exploring with your child is wonderful, have fun in the process!
Keren, Let me know if I can help (either myself or through the blog) with your little one;s music education. I know living in a place far from teacher can be hard. Hope the blog can be a resource for you.
Maria
My youngest seems to already be really inclined towards music – even though she's only one! We find her tapping her foot, humming and she's even trying to snap her fingers! Music is so important so I definitely need to get the whole family to some music festivals this summer!
This is so wonderful! Have fun exploring music with your little one and I hope this blog could be a recourse in the process!
Maria
He has a piano and a violin (however, he only has lessons on the piano and have no idea how to get him started on proper notes on the violin). Anywho, I will take him to a festival. I'll have to look around! Thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style! Don't forget to come back on Friday to see if you were featured!
~~April~~
100lbCountdown.com
I would like to help you with the violin and getting on the right track:) I will be in touch!
This is wonderful and I am going to pin it. None of my kids currently play an instrument but two have dabbled a bit. They may pick it up again later. 🙂
Thank you for pinning, Michelle! It would be wonderful if your kids will pick up an instrument!
Love the post and Love the ideas! I will be a regular at the blog!
M. K.
Great ideas here! As a music teacher, I love to see parents build in their a appreciation for a wide variety of children, as well as a desire to learn music.
Some great ideas. I think cultivating a love of music, in general, does a ton for a child's creativity and personality. My toddler loves to listen for the timpani on classical music radio.
Thank you both for your comments.
Betsy, yes music can do a lot to form a child's personality.
Rosilind, so wonderful to have you here and have the perspective of another music teacher!
Great ideas! One of our teens just took up guitar after becoming enthralled with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Plus, my husband has guitars all over our house and will pick one up and play when he's inspired to do so. Our youngest daughter plays the viola–which she will be continuing with in high school–I think because some of her friends play as well. So it's affinity with a famous guitar person/music and being accepted by peers that has our kids involved in music.
The lightbulb over my head just fired up! We spend so much time on letter and number recognition, on athletic skills, etc. (all good things). Why can't music appreciation also start at home? Thanks for sharing this.
We have lots of music festivals in Maine during the summer and fall. It's a great way to introduce my boys to different types of music. Plus we get to dance!
Awesome ideas! Some of my favorite memories growing up on going to concerts with my dad.
My 17 year old loves the 40s music – go figure! (visiting from SITS)
What a wonderful article! It is especially helpful for parents who may not have a musical background. I encouraged both of my sons with musical endeavors. When the youngest took piano lessons, I did, too, at the age of 40. It's never too late, but how wonderful if we can give this to our children at a young age so that the have it for life. ~Topaz
Hi, visiting you from The SITS Girls. Very nice post! Music is the language of the soul and being exposed to it at a young age can make a great impact on a person. Both my sister and I took piano lessons as children. she chose to continue them until she married, I chose to go into art (painting), but the sensitivity to the beautiful is in there on both of us, even if expressed in different ways.
You are so right about younger children starting and stopping hobbies. I am so glad I encouraged (lol) my now Teenager to stay involved with his school's music programs. He is now on his way to college as a music major and with a partial scholarship. Great Post and Advice!
Great suggestions! I have my little 7 and 8 year old in piano and violin…and they love it! It is fun to watch children learn music… soon enough -I am sure they will find their musical identity in some boy band. Eek.
Hi – I am visiting from SITS. This is interesting — especially since the extent of my musical involvement with my kids is playing the Malt Shop Oldies Sonic station on the screened in porch.