A play on Elvis Presley was being enacted in my son's school. Filled with curiosity, his ever inquiring mind bombarded me with several questions from Presley's early life to why at the age of eleven Elvis’ accepted a guitar instead of a bicycle to the gospel music he heard in church and his interest in music. While discussing Presley's interest in music, I realized the magnetic field of music is vast, open and one of the best means of expression. Music is a magnetic healer. Music is an art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound organized in time but for infants and toddlers it is sound appealing to ears; one which is pleasant to hear. It has nothing to do with an order but it keeps them nourished emotionally. As they grow, music becomes a medium of self-expression for them, a collection of thoughts organized into a rhythm.
Why is music healthier for kids?
In simple words, music provides pure joy. Music helps the body and the mind to work in coordination to produce vibrant energy. It thrills soul, soothes nerves, relaxes mind and body, brings harmony, opens the window of mind to understand the purpose of natural sounds in the environment. Training our kids to listen to musical notes of nature is a great relaxation technique.
Besides, music during early development helps them to
- learn language,
- overcome shyness,
- pronounce new words, the sounds, and meanings of words,
- build motor skills,
- practice self-expression,
- strengthen memory skills.
Music and infants
- Music is one of the foremost ways to interact with infants. It acts as a means to strengthen bonding with baby.
- Musical toys or any sort of soft music brightens the mood of infants and makes them giggle.
- Repetition of musical words with actions help them to understand language. Even in their initial speech babies babble musically.
- It has been observed that infants listening to sounds speak up sooner because constant hearing of words helps them in verbal communication.
- Lullabies help in emotional development, new things exploration.
- Music supports physical development-movement of hands, head, attempt to move legs.
Music and preschoolers
Theater, television, movies, worship places, celebrations, and various ceremonies have served as a platform for children to showcase their talent.
Dancing to music helps build motor skills, practice self-expression.
What else can be done?
- We can replace the correct word in rhyme with another word to make them laugh and enjoy. Also, kids immediately react to correct the expression which improves their word power, language skills, vocabulary.
- Let them sing and dance without being self-conscious about their ability. Give them a musical accompaniment(it may be a proper musical instrument or any container say filled with mustard seeds to create sound)
- Music helps in storytelling. The more rhythmic the way of storytelling, better is speech development due to clarity in words.
Music and school kids
- Children who play music learn that there rewards from hard work, practice, and discipline.
- Playing a musical instrument helps develop kids' creative thinking and motor skills. A judicious selection of instrument refines their skills and boosts self-esteem.
- Music helps kids become more active listeners.
- It introduces children to other cultures and they endeavour to absorb something new.
Grooming kids with music |
Music and teenagers
Background music may improve focus on a task by providing motivation and improving mood. During long study sessions, music acts as a healer. It refreshes the soul and uplifts the mood. This, in turn, may help in memorization.
Let us use the tool of music in grooming our kids to celebrate the magic in their life. Even the simple melodious tinkling sound of a wind chime can bring good fortune.
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