by Jacqueline Schmidt, violin teacher in Minneapolis offering local Minneapolis violin classes too
How can I help my child’s interest in music? As a Minneapolis Suzuki violin and viola teacher, parents often ask me this question. Music can be one of the most rewarding activities around. Additionally, long-term study teaches important life skills like self-confidence, time management, self-discipline, and respect for oneself and others. Plus, students involved in music consistently perform better in school, especially math.
How can you encourage musicality in your child? Music lessons are definitely a great idea. And there are lots of other fantastic options, too, some right within your own neighborhood!
Visit the Library
Today’s libraries have an incredible selection of CDs, DVDs, and other recordings you can borrow for only the cost of a library card! Try different eras and genres and observe your children’s reactions. (You may be surprised!) Let your kids move to the music. Ask them what kind of story the music is telling– exciting, funny, scary, happy or….? Have them draw a picture that describes the music.
Attend a Concert
Live music is an experience unlike any other. And here in Minneapolis-St. Paul, there are tons of fantastic concerts! Many of them have low-cost or free tickets for children. For example, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has “Free Family Music Concerts.”
After the concert, it’s great to recap with your children about what they saw:
- What parts did you like best, and why?
- What was your favorite part?
- What was your favorite instruments?
- What was the most exciting part of the concert?
Take up singing
Singing is one of the best ways to develop your child’s musicality. A few generations ago, it was common for families to gather around the piano to sing. Unfortunately, today singing at home appears to have become less typical.
Let me encourage you to find a way to share a song with your child. It may be singing the songs/hymns in church. It may be checking out a CD of children’s songs and singing along. It could even be making up a song of your own! There are oodles of ways to bring singing into your child’s life. And you can start today!
My pre-Twinkle violin and viola students start singing even before we start the instrument. We learn to match pitch and to sing songs around the violin’s strings. (Many of my students go on to develop perfect pitch.) As we progress, I will give many of them “lyrics” to the pieces we are learning. Singing these lyrics help them improve both pitch and memory. A double win!
Hopefully this has given you some ideas for encouraging musicality in your children. Good luck in your future adventures in music!
Please visit Dr. Jacqueline Schmidt’s violin and viola teacher profile or contact her via email, jackie@jackieschmidt.com.
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