Why is music so important to children and
how can you make it part of daily life?
Music benefits every aspect of development and life. Research has shown that music aids the development of speech, helps children to learn maths, enhances social skills and intellectual development. Most of all it encourages self-expression and self-confidence.
Music is accessible, freely available and transportable. It can be passed down through generations and can reinforce the bonds between parents, siblings and elders. Further down you can have a look at some of our interesting links and tips.
Tips for encouraging a love of music:
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Sing songs for routine activites such as breakfast time, putting your shoes on or tidying up. It doesn't matter whether they are masterpieces or not, it doesn't even matter whether they properly rhyme the important part is that they are easy to remember, easy to join in on and that you use the same rhyme and words each time so your child can learn to recognise the activity by the song.
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Turn off the TV and put on some music! I always expected myself to be strict with the TV and I was to start with, but gradually CBeebies creeped in more and more. All of a sudden I had a total wake up call and we are back to putting on music whilst we cook tea, tidy up in the morning and eat our meals.
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Try not to be too restrictive with your music tastes. It goes without saying that whatever you listen to your child will enjoy and listen to as well, but it is good to try something new that you would not necessarily pick every now and then as you might be surprised to find that your little one really enjoys something you would never have guessed. I will never forget how much Maisy danced, clapped and screamed the first time she heard 'When Doves Cry'?!
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Have instruments available but try to keep them seperate from the other toys, maybe in a seperate box, so that your child can access them easily but understands that they are 'for' something too. I have not restricted Maisy to the baby instruments that are marketed at under ones but have allowed her to have anything that she is interested in, within reason. You don't have to spend lots, one of the most well used ones in Maisy's box is the ovaltine jar with pasta shapes in!
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Never be embarrassed in front of your children if you are singing or dancing together. Who cares? I can guarantee they won't (unless they are over 8 or 9 and you are in public which may be a little different!). Show your child that you are confident and that it doesn't matter whether you are in tune, whether you get the words right or if that pose is flattering or not - just lead the way and share the fun!
BBC - Parents Music Room - Why Music Matters
Bored of the wheels on the bus going round and round?!
Buy beautifully illustrated Barefoot Books which include singalong CD's for the whole family to share here
Barefoot Mummy also stocks Putumayo Kids World Music on my stalls. 
Each CD is a musical journey around the world and there are even collections especially for bedtime, playtime and Christmas. The sleeve notes are written in French, English and Spanish and also have information about the song origins and instruments used.
Visit my Amazon store to see some more recommended reading
