Do you want to be more involved in your child’s music lessons? In this week’s guest post, our friend Lara L. at Piano Power shares five creative ways you can enjoy music as a family…
In a world of earbuds and custom playlists, sharing music as a family “IRL” (or “in real life,” for those not hip to Internet slang) is more important than ever. Car sing-alongs and kitchen dance parties are par for the course.
To help you get more involved in your child’s music lessons or simply have some fun, we’ve outlined five unique music-sharing traditions. Read on for some fun musical inspiration!
1. Have a Family Karaoke Night
Love it or hate it, karaoke can be a true learning experience for kids. Reading lyrics, performing for an audience, waiting their turn, learning to respect others’ performances– there are major lessons to be learned beyond karaoke’s goofy fun.
If you’re not too shy to get onstage, kids can witness your own love for music, and see that mom or dad makes mistakes, laughs, and carries on.
(Also, you can introduce them to the amazing, karaoke-friendly world of Bonnie Tyler.)
2. Make it a Musical Game Night
Rather than “Name That Tune,” play a game called “Name That Artist.” The rule: When a new song starts, the first to identify the artist wins. This game presupposes that a.) Music is on at home, and b.) It is actively listened to.
Rather than background noise, music becomes an integrated part of life, requiring attention, memory, and close listening.
3. Life is a Musical
Rather than speak in conversation, why not sing? This requires a bit of musical spontaneity on the parent’s part, but you can borrow the melody of a tune you both know, or make up something random.
Next thing you know, everyone will be singing instead of speaking in your home.
To discover the last two ways you can enjoy music as a family, head on over to Piano Power.
Guest Post Author: Lara L.Lara L. is the communications manager at Piano Power, a Chicago-based music teaching group. Learn more about Piano Power here.
Brooke Neuman