by Anne H.

Created on: June 25, 2007

If you are in a room with young children you will have movement taking place. Why not make it a creative, learning experience that will stay with them through out their lives? I believe that giving children a safe environment to experiment with music and creative movement is a gift we can give children.

Children are drawn to music naturally. I believe there is an innate sense in all humans to enjoy listening and moving to music. Take a look around at the toes or hands tapping when music is being played. Science has shown us that music can have an effect on our moods- it can settle us down, give us energy, make us sad, and illicit praise and worship in religious atmospheres. Humans enjoy music and are naturally inclined to participate with it.

Children love to be able to express themselves. Music and creative movement give them the perfect opportunity to shine! Young children do not worry about socially acceptable or proper rules when dancing or playing with music. An observer has the chance to truly see the inside of a child when they are care free and in their element.

Here are some ideas to help your child explore and expand their minds when it comes to music and creative movement:
- Play music in the car that your child enjoys. Let that music be something special that they only get to hear when they are riding. Mix it up so that it keeps them interested and excited to get in the car.
-Discuss how certain music makes them feel. Classical music usually pulls out strong emotions. To take this even further, have your child choose a color that describes the song and ask them why. Happy songs may make them think of yellow, the color of the sun. Sad songs may make them think of blue.
-Play with your child, showing them and challenging them to explore their body and how it can move to music. Adults have much more rhythm and ability to move than children do. If you are moving, they will try to mimic you and develop new skills.

Music is very important to us as adults, why not help our children experience the great gift of music in their everyday lives as well?

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