Music is everywhere. We hear it on the radio, on television, in movies, in supermarket aisles. It soundtracks our lives.
For children, music can bring a host of benefits in early childhood. So how can we sort through the noise and allow children to truly engage with music?
Here are some platforms to give your child the chance to listen, learn and love music.
Spotify
Spotify or other streaming services allow children to engage in all types of music. The best part about streaming services is that you are not limited to genre, artists or even decade.
Children can explore music made for children but also an almost endless list of other tunes. From blues or jazz or classical...even those embarrassing first singles that you bought as a youngster!
There are many existing playlists for children to use or you can make your own. If you have just seen a film, go listen to the soundtrack. The wide range of songs will widen your little one's musical horizons (and hopefully prevent you from listening to Baby Shark on repeat!)
YouTube
YouTube has the same wide range of songs as streaming services. What is great about YouTube for music is that it is so much more than just songs.
Children can watch live music performances, old concerts, videos about certain instruments and music tuition videos (you can even find out more about our instruments on our pBone channel!)
Videos can be much more engaging than audio alone, which is great for younger children. The video suggestions are excellent and allow the child to easily explore new related music. Children may already be familiar with YouTube but with a parent’s guidance and suggestions, they easily explore and engage with various aspects of music.
Live Concerts
Engaging with music online is simple and the options are almost limitless. However, experiencing music live can provide a unique experience that can truly capture a child's imagination.
Introducing a child to live music early on can create a strong impression on them. Although many pop concerts are normally reserved for adults and can be very loud for children, there are plenty of other options. Live music does not need to be a large concert: your child may be mesmerised by a talented busker, and attend an open-air musical event in a park or a smaller musical show designed with kids in mind.
Instruments
A child can interact and play with many musical instruments.
Interacting with an instrument on a basic level - such as plucking the strings on a guitar or hitting the keys on a piano - can be a stimulating experience for a child. Some instruments, such as Soundbops, are designed with young learners in mind.
Why not try visiting your local music shop and trying out the range of instruments on offer?
...or create your own instrument
If you do not have access to instruments, homemade instruments are fun substitutes. Making the instrument with your child adds a fresh dynamic. It can be anything that makes music, you can create a completely new instrument!
Rice in a jar, pots, pans and boxes make excellent percussion sounds. You could use a ruler on the end of a table and let it vibrate, or blow over the top of glass bottles with different levels of water to make new sounds! Who knows, you may create your own family band!
Singing
One of the simplest ways to engage with music is through singing. There is no equipment needed – just your voice (and plucking up the courage). Try singing along with your child to their favourite songs: you can even use YouTube or other services for a fun karaoke party.
Some schools may have a choir that children can join, and younger children will often sing in lessons. Singing from a young age can improve confidence and improve other speech and language skills too!
Apps
There are various musical apps and games that children can play to engage easily with music. We have rounded up some of the latest AI solutions for teaching music to kids, but there are lots more. For older learners, software such as Apple's GarageBand can give children access to advanced recording and production techniques in an intuitive way. Younger children may be better suited to time away from the screen, but there are lots of fun ways to give children a head start!
However your child responds best to music - be it listening, playing, singing or dancing in the living room - there are so many positives to surrounding them with music from a young age.
Simple activities such as listening to music from your own childhood to watching a movie with a soundtrack that you love can create a lasting impact.
It could just be the start of a lifetime love of music.
- If you are looking for more ways to engage your child with music, check out our tips for fun activities to try at home.
- Music isn't just fun...it's educational too! Find out if music can improve your child's reading skills.
- Grabbing a musical instrument could help your child, but when is the best time to start? Read our article to find out if your child is ready to learn an instrument.
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