Oh the Noise, Noise, Noise! (Why You Should Tune Out and Tune In with Your Kids)
Dearest Lifesong Tribe,
Let me tell you, it’s tough to think clearly when the TV’s yakking, the phones are pinging, the dryer’s rumbling, and not to mention the noise that’s already inside of your head. Sometimes, that one can be the loudest of all. Am I right?
It’s time to tune out everything else, tribe…
And get in tune with your kids.
The times that I feel the deepest connection with my girls is when I’m singing with them. There’s something about creating the same notes and words that puts me right in sync with their little hearts. When they were little babies, I remember the attentiveness in their eyes when I would sing. I remember when they tried to imitate the sounds I was making with their cute “oohs” and other mumblings.
This is the best stuff.
And when you’re singing with your kids, it’s hard to think of anything else. When you make music, you’re using more parts of your brain than those used for just speaking. You are mentally involved in communicating to a greater degree.
Let’s do this together, today. Take the step to form a deeper connection with your little ones.
Happy Bonding,
“Medina’s Music Mom”
How To Reveal Your Child’s Inner Musician In 5 Minutes A Day
No one is born musically gifted.
It’s a common misconception that some people are born with oodles of “natural talent,” while others inherently “can’t carry a tune.”
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Honest.
Here’s the scoop: neither of my parents are musicians. Both my sister, Nicole, and I went on to study music professionally. None of that had anything to do with good genes, or that we were somehow special.
So, what’s the “special sauce” that allows some students to easily excel in the arts while others show disinterest?
Simply put, your child needs opportunities to exercise her creative muscles.
In my case, I owe a lot of my ability to early exposure to the dances and music of my Greek heritage. But there’s a much more practical way to give this gift to your child.
One small hinge that opens a large door: singing to your child, from pregnancy, is the first, and most important step.
Singing to your child allows her to hear the expressive capabilities of the human voice, which encourages her to explore her own voice.
When you sing to your child, you are making her learn without her even knowing it. Pretty cool, right?
You don’t have to have a great voice. You don’t even have to have a good voice. Your child loves your voice, and that’s all that matters.
And it doesn’t matter what you sing. Sing whatever you already know by heart. Or better yet: make up your own songs.
One huge benefit of our Musikgarten classes is that our members are constantly learning new songs to sing to (or with) their children. The development of creativity requires new, fresh exercises on a regular basis.
But if you’re just starting out, make it up or sing what you already know. Singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to your baby as a lullaby is better than doing nothing.
Make it a daily routine. That one small change will open up a whole new world to your child.
Here’s the catch: your window of opportunity to unlock your child’s inner musician ends shortly after their fifth birthday. If you’re reading this, chances are there’s still time. But, starting now is important.
Leave a comment and tell us what you sing to your child.
