Music, Movement, and Mozart
Some of my earliest memories involve music. Driving with the windows down with my Dad or playing in the house on Sunday afternoon while my Mom cooked dinner. It really is profound how much music affects us. I can remember the words to hit singles from when I was 5 without hearing the song for decades. Something about the rhythm speaks to our core humanity.
Your toddler is experiencing this right now. I am sure they have their favourite television programs or movies, all which will feature several songs to help teach lessons or to help with understanding the plot. Many of these will feature dances or movements that go along with them, because the producers understand the importance of keeping toddlers moving. It is a great way to encourage participation and engagement in a demographic not generally known for its attention span.
Depending on their age, there are probably several songs that your preschooler already knows the words to by heart. And that you likely can’t stand to hear sung once more. But this is very good for them to develop communication, memory, creativity, and imagination.
Movement to music is a great way for a toddler to start to understand music intuitively. Dancing is a fun way to burn off some that wild, rambunctious energy that comes up throughout the day. Toddlers will also train their body to move and start to understand themselves in a physical space, an important component of athletics later in life.
Playing with safe, simple, percussive instruments is recommended as well. Graduate your toddlers from their old rattle to something like a maraca or egg shaker and play appropriate music for them in a wide range of genres. A child-safe harmonica is a great next step. Find one and play them songs both in key and out of key with it, they will love it.
The benefits of learning an instrument in childhood are shown by something called the “Mozart Effect”; it shows increased abilities to learn new concepts and take tests. Starting to cultivate a love of music and a familiarity with different instruments (remember: safe and simple at this early age) will help them find their own relationship to music.
Movement is an integral part of music. Making music and dancing to music both obviously require some form of movement, but even passive listening requires vibration of your ear drums to receive the sound. Make music a priority for your child and they will be happier and healthier.