"Musical Motivation" for children and their grown-ups
How can we help our children keep building their interest and love of
music? Here are a few ideas you can use at home—much will depend on
the ages of your children, and some will apply better to certain
ages. Basically, just as elementary school teachers
suggest "littering your house with books" to encourage young
children's reading and enjoyment of reading, I would say, "litter
your house with music"! That is, put it all around your house and
family, so it becomes an important part of your everyday life.
--Use your home materials; use your family activity book in Our Time
for activities to do at home; do the "bring to class" projects in
Imagine That and the at-home activities in Young Child; practice with
your child so he can feel successful playing in class. Let your
child teach you how to play a song she is learning to play.
Sometimes it's rewarding for your child when you let her start from
the beginning, remind you how to hold your mallets, point out the
notes you miss, and so on. This also helps her to learn they don't
need to be perfect when even grown-ups forget things and make
mistakes.
--Sing, dance, and play music at home--often--Kindermusik CDs, other
good children's music, your own favorite "family appropriate" singers
and musicians. Make it a fun part of your family's day as often as
possible. Remind children that the music we make by singing and
playing instruments is also "real music"—not just what comes out of
the CD player!
--Listen to a wide variety of music--classical, folk, country, jazz,
a bit of rock and pop, music from other countries. Borrow some CDs
from the library with out-of-the-ordinary music to find out what you
and your family like.
--Create a "music basket" for your family, and put in your egg
shakers, zig zag blocks, fiddlesticks, resonator bars, slide
whistles, drums, tambourines, and any other music-making objects you
can find. Even make a few of your own! Put it in the same room with
a CD player so it's easy to put on some music and march, dance, and
play--often. Try to avoid the temptation to ask your children
to "not make so much noise" 
Of course, some instruments, like
slide whistles and loud drums, make great basement and
outdoor "parade" instruments!
--When you get to Imagine That and Young Child, keep your child's
current instrument and bag very handy for them to get out. Yes,
sometimes that means you'll get to class without your slide whistle,
drum, book, folder, or glockenspiel--but it's so much better to
actually use them during the week--and your child can share with a
friend or use a spare from his teacher in class.
--If you--Mom or Dad--play an instrument, play it for and with your
child. It doesn't matter if you last played it in junior high and
it's been in the attic since then. Children enjoy hearing it
because: A--it's a real instrument, not just the sound of one on CD,
and B--it's Mom or Dad playing it. Ask other family members to share
whatever they may play--maybe Grandpa plays a bit of piano, Grandma
plays the accordion, or Uncle Joe plays the balalaika (or whatever :-
) ). It's a great way to share your family's culture and history as
well as music, and often others will not think anyone would want to
hear them unless they're asked.
--If you have older children, or older cousins, have a family music
night where everybody plays something--whatever instrument they're
learning to play, or sing a song. Have everybody join in for a sing-
a-long and/or "family jam" with all those instruments from the music
basket.
--If you have relatives and friends with older children, go to some
middle school and high school concerts. They're cheap, usually free,
and children can hear others who are still learning to play and
sing. High school musicians are often very accomplished already.
Find out what your local high school is performing for a spring play
or musical. Look for local productions of ballet, like The
Nutcracker at Christmastime.
--Look for family concerts and events in your area. I know this is
harder in smaller communities, but maybe you can sometimes make it a
special event on a trip to a larger city. Orchestras, bands, choirs,
parades, theater, ballet, puppet shows, children's performers, summer
concerts in the park...the list is almost endless.
--If you're not ready to invest in a piano, look for an electronic
keyboard--one that is more than a kids' toy without being a huge
investment. Put it in a place where your child can easily play it
(not "play with it") and explore it--simply expect them to treat it
kindly and gently--playing with fingers, not fists or feet, not
putting food or drinks near it, and so on. You could even consider
looking for a used child-size violin or guitar--not to start lessons
on it, just to explore and play.
See you in Kindermusik!!
