Video:Making Music With Children
with Kathy MooreMusic is a fun way to keep kids busy, and it's also educational. Learn about the benefits of incorporating music into your child's playtime.See Transcript
Transcript:Making Music With Children
Hi, I'm Kathy Moore for About.com Parenting. As the mother of two preschoolers, I'm always on the lookout for fun things to keep the kids busy, but that are also educational. One of our favorite activities is to make music.Music and Children
Though most preschoolers are too young to read sheet music, they can still pick up simple concepts like low and high notes. Loud and soft. Or even angry and calm notes. But you don't need a keyboard to teach your kids about making music. Kids of any age enjoy banging on a drum -- regardless of the instrument's style.Benefits of Music
Making music is more than just a noisy way to pass the time. Studies have shown that children who play music score higher on standardized tests and specifically, perform better at math. A recent study at the University of California at Irvine showed that 3 and 4 year olds who studied piano for just 6 months scored 34 percent higher on spatial reasoning tests than their non-musical peers. Additional studies show the benefits of music at a young age carry over into adulthood.Music as Exercise
Music is a great way to get kids moving too. We hear a lot today about the dangers of our sedentary lifestyle. One solution is to turn on the music and get your kids dancing. Regular movement and exercise will improve coordination and balance in small children. It just might also make them a bit more cooperative at bedtime.So remember kids of any age can enjoy and benefit from music. It's something fun to learn that will last a lifetime. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the Web at parenting.about.com.
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