Instill a love of music in your young child

Turn on the music to fine-tune your child's mind and heart. Here's how to take your cues from the pros:

To inspire parents, Judi Coffey, founder of a learning program for preschoolers, posts songs on the company's Facebook page, "The InvestiGator Club."

"I always hope that parents and teachers spend lots of time singing and dancing with young children," says Coffey, who includes songs that parents suggest. The Facebook page is a way for parents and teachers to discuss issues important to them regarding young children.

"Our fans jump right in to support one another," Coffey says. "By asking people to suggest songs to celebrate summer or to express their feelings about their children, we are giving them a voice that might otherwise be difficult for them to find."

Through music, parents can express specific ideas to their children, such as those in these three songs:

-- "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts: "My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to."

-- "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack: "When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance."

-- "Child of Mine" by Carole King: "Oh yes sweet darling, so glad you're a child of mine."

The InvestiGator Club company also has a music and movement CD of traditional and original songs from a variety of genres. For more information, the website is www.investigatorclub.com .

Marc Trachtenberg, founder of Rock-a-Baby, a music entertainment program for babies and toddlers, agrees that listening to and making music with children is a good way to form a special bond.

But remember, the musician says: "If you're going to introduce music at such a young age, it needs to be fun."

How about pop music? The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" can capture a child's imagination while using play tunnels or building forts.

They Might Be Giants is an alternative band that makes not only make music for adults, but albums with children in mind.

"Or, when it's time for bed and the old books are getting stale, spice them up with some background music," suggests Trachtenberg, whose programs in New York branched out this summer to Providence, R.I. The company website is www.rock-a-baby.net.

Other ideas from Trachtenberg:

-- Play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" in the background while reading "Goodnight Moon" for a peaceful end to the day.

-- In the house or in the car, keep the radio on instead of the television. The different rhythms and melodies will stimulate your child in different ways.

-- To guard against bad language, create your own play list.

Like Trachtenberg, Melissa Mock of Mooresville, N.C., a Kindermusik educator, is all about the joy of music with children.

"When parents show passion for something, their children will be passionate about it too," Mock says. "Singing songs that are developmentally appropriate and fun for children will encourage them to be involved in the activity, and get their little bodies moving."

Moving to the music helps children develop body and spatial awareness as well as fine and gross motor skills, all three experts agree.

 

Mock's ideas include:

-- Choose a variety of happy songs this summer when playing with your little ones. Sing "You Are My Sunshine" and "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah," and soon their little ones will be singing along too.

-- Play lots of music in the background of the day -- there are many great children's artists who make albums that parents enjoy as much as kids. Mock, who has three children, says one of their favorites is Jack Johnson's "Curious George Soundtrack."

-- Turn on some classical music and dance to it or just read a book together to relax.