Does your child like music?
Is music important in your child’s life and development?
As the mother of a two year old, I am always looking for activities that encourage learning and development. I find that most of the activities we do together that result in learning are purely by coincidence and luck. Not by any skill or training I have.
As of late, my daughter has shown a real passion for music.
She has even begun to differentiate between styles of music she likes and dislikes. Her preferences are Contemporary Christian and Country, of course those both fall behind any song done by The Wiggles. But I digress. The point is, my child is drawn to music and feels the need to express herself in many ways when she hears it.
For example, she has learned different dance moves from the television characters on her favorite programs, as well as from good old mom and dad.
My daughter recreates those moves into her own little dance routine whenever she hears a song she likes. Even in the car.
She is using her creativity and memory to express herself, which I believe is helping build her character.
Our girl also tries to sing – well, more like hum – but again, this is another form of expression and she is increasing her vocabulary by wanting to say the right words. She claps to the music and tries her best to keep a rhythm.
These are all amazing skills that she is learning and using in her own individual way. This is a breakthrough age. At this age children begin to graduate from imitating to combining what they know in ways to interact with the world around them.
These activities are encouraging many facets of development:
- physical (clapping, stomping, other dance motions)
- social (a way for her to interact with those around her)
- cognitive (she is bridging pathways from what she’s learned to how she wants to use the information to express her own personality)
- emotional (a definite sense of pride accompanies all forms of learning in children)
If your child enjoys music, you can encourage them by making music readily available for them without having to spend a fortune.
I would guess they already have toys that make music.
A lot of books play music as well.
Even just turning on the radio throughout the day. Try finding a station that is suitable for you both can be a very rewarding experience. Whether your child is hearing music on the television, radio, or directly from an instrument you are playing, he/she has so many opportunities for learning.
Check out these 7 Secrets to Get your Baby to Sleep, which helped a lot of mamas to put their baby to sleep!
Capture those moments and make the most of them!
