There is so much going on with your child in a Music Together class. It’s such an invigorating environment—for all the senses. Your child’s brain is working hard to absorb the different sights, sounds, and tactile sensations. Some children are obviously enjoying themselves: you’ll notice from their squeals, coos, and impromptu dancing.
Other children enjoy themselves just as much by sitting and soaking up the stimulation.
But it is after class when a child’s musical learning really begins—at home, in the car seat, or in the bathtub! You’ll often see your child imitate what she has heard and observed in class: that’s her way of “practicing” and the way her brain processes new input. When you
observe that she is “practicing” like this, reinforce the process by joining in the fun.
Let’s see what each of the different age groups do:
Infants
Infants spend most of their waking hours learning how to respond to the world, especially through sound, which is one of the first ways they communicate. All infant vocal sounds are essential for musical and linguistic development, whether they are crying in discomfort, or just humming while breast- or bottle-feeding. Try to match their sounds when they are humming like this — we call it “babbling with your baby.” And as your infant learns to express rhythm with his body, you might note how his movements are becoming unique for him.
Toddlers
A toddler is much more physically coordinated than an infant, and his vocal sounds are becoming more communicative and expressive. The toddler prefers regularity and routine, so he loves the repetition of Music Together songs. And while his “practicing” facilitates the development of tonal and rhythmic accuracy, it also helps him build a
foundation for eventual independence from the parent or caregiver—you might say he’s developing a musical personality! It is good
to either imitate your child by taking cues from him, or notice his favorite songs and sing them in a quiet moment.
Preschoolers
A preschooler not only has basic control of her body and voice but can do some fairly sophisticated things with them. How? Her brain has developed imagination. So “practice” for the preschooler means incorporating her fantasy into daily life: a scarf becomes a falling leaf; or she might set up a “class” and play Music Together. She can sing bits and pieces of the music and can even coordinate her body with the music at times. An older preschooler may sing the Music Together collection cover-to-cover, especially if you join her. Most importantly for music development, her imagination lets her sing and move, even when there is no music playing. She’s audiating!
So, listen and watch at home, in the car, or anywhere you go with your child, and see how they develop musically with the support of the Music Together experience. It is the “practicing” at home—adults and children making music together—which can give children a life-long disposition to make music.
Copyright © 2002 Music Together LLC, courtesy of Music Together Princeton Lab School
