Fostering Music Appreciation at a Young Age

My husband and I were sitting down to dinner the other night and imagine to our surprise when we noticed our one-year-old son sitting there in his high chair bobbing his head in time to the music on a commercial jingle. His hands were slapping on his high chair tray, his little feet were kicking about a hundred miles an hour and he had the biggest smile on his face -- it was priceless.

Most all children love music, and research has shown that music enhances a child’s comprehension level and helps them with the development of fine motor skills. Many children with autism or other special needs have been known to be reached with the right melody and tempo. Even though a child may be unable to communicate in other ways, music seems to reach them on a level beyond normal understanding. Music has a way of enhancing the lives of children and adults as well.

Research has shown time and again that children can hear music before birth. Some children seem to be drawn to a certain type of music just from being exposed to it in utero. Age-appropriate music programs can be very beneficial and challenge and awaken a person of any age.

Classes for mothers and infants are a great place to begin. A child can begin to appreciate music as early as 6-8 months of age. The classes typically last 30-40 minutes in length and require active participation from the parents. Programs geared towards toddlers provide fun and excitement and are also very popular and children engage in the classes on many different levels.

For children ages 3 and up, something that can be fun and entertaining is playing a musical instrument. A child will learn music appreciate from a parent who actively encourages, supports and cultivates the love. A child can integrate music games, arts and crafts into the scenario which will add endless opportunities for inner growth and expanding the mind. Loving music is something children can do and share with a parent, which enhances and enforces the bond between the two.

Most middle and elementary schools foster a child’s interest in music by offering band classes. This will provide a springboard for a lifetime love of music by inviting the child to participate in a band or orchestra with other child. Sharing a love of music is a positive experience that will foster a stronger bond between parent and child and last a lifetime.

The Healing Power of Music

Music can change a person’s mood, regulate and control circulation, breathing, internal secretions and other bodily features and functions.  Science has found a direct correlation between music and a person’s bioelectric currency of the heart and brain.  Music is soothing and can influence pulse rate, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature and many other things.  Music and the effects it has only a human being is only recently being understood.

 Music therapists believe that music can also sooth the muscles of the respiratory tract and reduce airway resistance.  A piece of light, classical music or a violin concerto has the capacity to reduce the blood pressure by as much as 15 to 20 percent.  The affects of music on the various systems of the body and on emotion is well documented, and medical science is in agreement, music in therapy is a beneficial and irreplaceable asset.  There is no denying how much music can affect someone in a coma, someone with a head injury and music is also used in occupational and art therapy by people who swear by the many benefits it brings.

 Music has been proven to influence the central nervous system, improve memory, trigger imagination and fuel creativity. Can you remember the last time one of your favorite songs truly inspired you to get up and get moving?  Music can polish and affect a person’s well-being and personality with time and exposure.  How can music do all these things?  The main affects of music can be witnessed in emotional release, relaxation and communication.

 The act of listening to a certain type of music is also the process some people go through when releasing negative emotions.  Once the negative emotions have been released, the positive mood inside will take over and help a person to feel relief and inner peace.  By enjoying music, people can calm down, relax and let go of anger and rage.  The principle of music therapy is to teach people ways to use music, to remove toxins and negativity from their life.