Drumming for Children
in school longer, notes the National As-
A drumbeat is the human way of imitat-
sociation for Music Education.
ing the heartbeat. Babies as young as 6
months can play a drum to match the
Music to enhance
beat of a song, even if only for a few
Relationships
beats. Children at every age love to
Singing or playing music together with
move to the beat of a drum.
family or friends can be a fun way to
Experiment by using different
enjoy being together. For young chil-
rhythms and volumes to indicate how
dren, accompany songs with hand
to move: fast for running, slow and
motions and movements, perhaps doing
steady for big steps, soft for tiptoeing,
the motions hand-in-hand. Youngsters
silence for stopping. Or, make some up.
love the physical touch, play, eye
This type of activity helps chil-
contact and, most of all, the love that
dren develop listening skills, sound
comes from being with their parents.
discrimination, gross motor skills, and
As children learn to play instru-
awareness of starting and stopping.
ments, participating in a school band or
With younger children, take turns doing
orchestra, or gathering with friends in a
drumming and movement. As children
garage band, are fun and social events.
get older, they can become involved
Participating in and attending musical
in drumming groups, or the family can
performances create irreplaceable fam-
drum together.
ily memories.
Music for Relaxation
Music to express
Calm, quiet music helps reduce stress emotion
and enhance relaxation. Tune in to re- During adolescence, music becomes
laxing music in the morning to ease the part of most teens’ identity. Join in by
routine, and again at dinnertime, when listening to their favorite music. Ask
the family is hungry, tired and stressed them why a song is important, and
after a long day at work or school. pinpoint their favorite lyrics. It’s a way
Relaxation music can be used to to communicate with a teen and get a
reduce anxiety prior to surgery, in a sense of things that parents might not
medical situation where children feel know, otherwise. It’s also a great way
anxious, or when children have difficul- to talk about values. Adults don’t have
ty falling asleep. Some relaxation and to like teens’ music, but do need to be
guided imagery CDs are made specifi- respectful of their taste.
cally for children. The most important years to in-
volve children in music are from birth
Music for education
to age 10. According to Dr. Robin Brey
Songs teach children skills. The song
in Neurology Now, music can help
“B-I-N-G-O” can teach a child how to
create connections in the brain. Songs
spell their name, by substituting the let-
the family sings together today will be
ters of the child’s name. Children learn
forever connected with family memo-
the alphabet by singing “The Alphabet
ries. Playing instruments teaches skills
Song.” Anything that needs to be mem-
that will be useful throughout a child’s
orized can be put to music, including a
life. Music truly is a gift to a child that
home address and phone number.
keeps on giving.
Learning to play an instrument in-
creases self-esteem, develops fine mo-
tor skills and, in the case of brass and
Jamie Blumenthal has a masters degree,
wind instruments, oral motor skills as
is a board certified music therapist and
well. Reading music develops reading
owns Family Music Connection: North
aptitude, eye-hand coordination and
Bay Music Therapy Services in Santa
math skills. Playing an instrument en-
Rosa, CA. Reach her at 707.695.4145
hances social relationships and teaches
or MusicTherapy@msn.com.
discipline. Often, children who play an
instrument earn better grades and stay
28
Fairfield County
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