Discover the Joy in Music

What’s fun and what’s good for you don’t always translate as one and the same in the minds of young children. But unlike broccoli and naptime, one good-for-you pill that’s easy to swallow is as simple as do re mi: discovering the joy in music.

Music is among one of the most artistic means of expressing oneself, and yet the benefits far exceed self-expression. Neuroscientists, psychologists and early childhood development researchers the world over have concluded that music provides necessary brain cell connections needed for everything from increasing memory ability to more deeply understanding spatial-temporal skills, such as solving complex problems one would encounter in math, art and engineering. It should come as no surprise that this universal language also touts huge benefits in developing a child’s own language skills, as well.

Because of these long-known benefits, many parents opt to sign their children up for voice and instrument lessons, hoping these extracurriculars will reap rewards in the classroom and beyond. A 2007 study conducted by KU music professor Christopher Johnson did, in fact, confirm that elementary students involved in superior music education programs scored 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math in standardized testing than those not involved. Group ensembles such as band or choir provide children an opportunity to work together with others, too, building self-confidence and teamwork, character traits that far outlive band camp and choir concerts.

With all the academic and social benefits music boasts, the value of simply enjoying music for music’s sake shouldn’t be overlooked. Elizabeth Hammond’s oldest children both have taken piano lessons throughout elementary school on the very same Baldwin spinet on which she took lessons as a child.

“I tell them over and over again music is something they give themselves that no one can ever take away. It stays forever and adds dimension in life,” Hammond says. The Overland Park mom took lessons herself from third grade until she graduated high school, and now her children take lessons from her own childhood piano teacher. “My son feels accomplished when he puts the rhythm, melody, notes and counting together and masters his piece. Now he'll sit down sporadically throughout the day and create a soundtrack to pictures he's drawn,” she says. “When you allow children to see that everything in life is set to some kind of musical aspect, it sparks some deep creativity that allows them to feel a part of something they are creating.”

Exposure to music can be one of the simplest ways to bring joy to a child’s life and can begin the moment you bring him into the world. Even if you can’t carry a tune, you can still ensure that your child receives an appreciation for music by simply providing quality music within the home. Programs such as Gymboree Play & Music, Kindermusik and Let’s Play Music offer movement and music appreciation classes to lay a foundation for continued music education, as well. Methods such as Suzuki and Simply Music capitalize on a child’s capacity to perform music beyond their ability to sight read, teaching by ear first then incorporating sight reading later on. To find a licensed teacher, simply do a quick online search. If you want personal referrals, consider asking friends, local schools or nearby college music departments for teacher recommendations.

Easy Ways to Expose Your Child to Music:

Attend a symphony concert. The KC Symphony always hosts two free pops concerts, Celebration at the Station in May and Pops in the Park in September, which are great introductions to the arts. A free instrument petting zoo at the latter is an added bonus. Local community orchestras, as well as college and high school bands, offer public performances as well.

Tune in. Long gone are the days of dialing into a channel, only to get fuzzy radio static. Online radio provides a multitude of crystal clear (and free!) radio stations, so every genre you can imagine can come right to you! Expose your child to a broad spectrum of musical styles, from Celtic to calypso, blues to bluegrass. Accuradio, Pandora and Spotify are all free online stations to choose from.

Think outside the box. From farmers’ markets to the Plaza’s sidewalks, street musicians view the world as their stage. These eclectic variety shows can provide wonderful exposure to local talent.

Lauren Greenlee’s childhood was full of music. She now passes that gift on to her three children. She writes from her home in Olathe.