Excerpted from
Child of Wonder
written by GInger Carlson for The Savvy Source
There is a whoosh-whoosh rhythm in the womb, a mother's heartbeat in perfect time: nature's drum. With the sense of touch, this internal drumming can be felt at just a few weeks gestation. Then, at ten weeks, hearing develops and the ssh! of Mama's blood reaches the ears. This, our first music, begins before we even open our eyes.
Perhaps related to this perfect rhythm as such a potent and
primitive force in our lives, listening to and making music have
been classifies as brilliant neurological exercises. The brain has
different areas which are activated with various aspects of
thinking and doing. It is much too simplistic to divide those
functions because the brain is interconnected and cooperative. The
more we do to stimulate all parts of the brain, the more we can
encourage verbal memory, spatial reasoning, and cognitive
processing. Brain research concludes that there is a window of
opportunity when neurons can be connected and the brain can develop
the ability to learn new languages, hear tones, think spatially,
and internalize distinct strategies to solve problems. With that in
mind, it is important to provide substantial opportunities for
hearing and making music early in a child's life. Luckily,
those opportunities are available in abundance.
Music Models
When choosing and looking for music opportunities for children,
find the balance between experiencing models of naturally occurring
music (the rain tip-tapping on the roof, rushing rivers, and the
rustling of the trees) and synthesized music. Expose them to jazz,
blues, folk, world music, reggae, opera, and other types of music.
Contact with many different types of creative expression through
music gives a child a larger platform from which to jump into their
own expression. Let yourself sing and dance around the house, in
the car, or on a walk. Joyful, spontaneous breakout in song is a
beautiful model! Point out everyday music and what sounds are to be
heard by listening to rain, vehicle sounds, trees rustling,
chipmunks chattering, construction sites banging, the hum of the
air conditioner, and by playing listening games.
Making Music
Music is a wonderful way to connect us with each other, our needs,
our desires, and our expressions. As you begin to think about
how you can further incorporate the listening and making of music
into your daily life, take the opportunity to get in tune with each
other. Find awareness in how music makes you feel and how and
when you already use it in your daily life. What ways
does your child use music already? What kind of music does he
enjoy? How does his body react when certain types of music
come on the radio? Does he enjoy live music? Does he
have opportunities to make music spontaneously? How? Do we
have opportunities to make music together? From there, you
will have further understanding of how you already use music.
As you then evaluate how to best to share future experiences with
your child, continue to look at how you can make music together, in
new ways, throughout your day. Explore with patterns you hear
and make, the songs you sing, and all types of instruments.
And there's more! Read the rest of Ginger's article at The Savvy Source.
More from The Savvy Source:
• Take a musical trip around the world with this vintage find from Burgin Streetman.
• Springtime activities to get you and your little one enjoying the delights of the season.
• Find great activities in your town every day with Being Savvy Local.
• For our children, every day is a learning day.
Find and
collect even more great ideas at http://www.savvysource.com/.
