Whether it is Raffi, the Wiggles, Disney music and more – most children love music. Like most preschoolers, your child or a friend’s kid most likely already loves music and has favorite songs that he or she likes to listen to over and over. So how did this happen? Did you encourage it? Long car trips? Or did they hear it at home? Preschoolers are a great age to introduce and expand their musical horizons. I grew up in a household where my dad played the guitar and I played the piano – I am very thankful for growing up in a musical household and the “torturous” days of piano lessons (wink, wink). Even my little cousin Spencer received a drum set this past Christmas and I was thrilled to see him tap the beat and use the cymbals so well! He even ‘air-guitared’ Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer.
In 1997, a man by the name of Don Campbell wrote a book called “The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit” which discussed a theory that listening to the musician Mozart can increase one’s IQ and that playing specially selected classical music to infants will benefit their mental development. These theories can be controversial, but I do agree that the relationship to sound and music (both played and listened to) have not been explored enough. Campbell wrote a follow up book called “The Mozart Effect” where he stated …
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Many of my favorite times (as a child and adult) have a soundtrack with GREAT music. I know when I hear a good song it makes me happy and wanting to shake my booty!
Obviously the preschool TV shows understand the correlation between music and preschoolers because ALL of the TV shows seem to have music as a main theme. I love it when Lilah jumps up and starts dancing. She has even started dancing like she’s on So you Think you Can Dance (with all the modern dance movements).
As I traveled the world as a member of Jimmy Buffett’s band The Coral Reefers I began to see the way children related to the music, the crowd and the spectacle of a Buffett concert. This led me into the character Uncle Jim who brings his original music into schools and children’s hospitals around the country. Thanks for sharing this post. UJ
http://www.unclejimrocks.com
Jim – what an exciting story! What musical instrument did you play? Thank you for sharing your experience and best wishes in your travels with your music to schools and hospitals.
Hi Melissa,
Wonderful post! I love music… and I wonder sometimes if my life would be different if I had learned music through the normal channels when I was a kid… having said that I am glad that I am the person that I am today nonetheless!
Now that we have a little baby of our own, it’s exciting to watch her respond to us when we sing or dance in front of her.. and eventhough she can’t sit up yet, she wiggles about on her back whenever we dance in front of her! I love the games you’ve suggested, and can’t wait to ‘copy dance’ with our little one!
Thanks for sharing, Melissa! This is going to be a blog I visit often!
Dinesh
Dinesh,
You are so kind and I am happy for you and your little one! We would love for you to send a picture of your baby! We have a feature each Thursday called Darling of the Day, and what better than to feature your baby playing music! Music has always been special in my life from piano to listening to records with my parents as a child. We are so happy to know that you are a new Le Top blog fan.
All the best,
Melissa
Dinesh,
We’re so happy you enjoyed our post. It sounds like your little girl will be dancing as soon as she is able. Have fun with it! Music and dance make life all that much better.