It’s no secret that music enriches lives. In fact, according to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), 85% of people who do not play a musical instrument say they wish they had learned to play one. And, when it comes to kids, learning a musical instrument has numerous benefits.

Music not only expands the mind, but encourages creativity, discipline, and patience as well. It gives kids an outlet to express themselves, and offers a refuge when needed. The intellectual challenge also strengthens the brain, and can actually help defend against cognitive decline later in life. Playing an instrument can also help develop motor skills, since it requires being able to move hands, fingers, and feet, all while reading music and breathing correctly.

While all the benefits are well worth it, it takes a team effort between you and your child for them to be positively impacted. These tips from McCarthy Music can help create an encouraging and supportive environment for your child to not just learn how to play, but to enjoy it as well.

Practice together!

It’s no secret that your child loves to be involved in anything you’re doing – make practice time something to bond over! Setting aside an hour of your day to spend with your child during practice time makes learning how to play the piano and any other instrument a fun and memorable experience for both parents and children.

Set goals

At the beginning of each week, talk with your child and see what they’d like to accomplish that week. Whether it’s learning a new song or mastering a technique, it’s important to show them that you’re involved in what they’re trying to achieve. Work toward the goal with your child and be there to provide motivation when frustration arises.

Reduce screen time

Instead of settling for television or tablet time, encourage your child to practice to pass the time instead. Challenge them – have them play their top five favorite songs for you to make it more fun.

Stay involved

Keep your own practice schedule up to date! Play in front of your child and show him or her that your progress is important to you – this will motivate them to be just as good as mom or dad!

Keep it fun

Learning the ins and outs of an instrument is hard for everybody. Make sure to maintain your cool when your child gets frustrated – sometimes it’s okay to take a break!

Music is well worth the effort, and learning how to play can help children thrive. Encouraging and supporting your child in this learning experience can make a world of difference to them, and change their lives forever.

The post A Family Who Plays Together, Stays Together appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Yes, as our budding musicians near the end of school, it is time for one of the most difficult of parental obligations: attending annual spring band concerts.  Because of all of the hand-wringing instances where our kids are placed in the spotlight, listening to their first performances is by far the most painful.

Of course we can’t blame our kids for this.  Musical instruments are very difficult to learn.  Any one who has heard a beginning violinist knows exactly what I am talking about.  A few minutes with the long, ear-piercing squeal of a violin can make water-boarding look pretty good.

Fortunately, there is a fundamental law that applies to all beginning instrumentalists:  the degree of listening pleasure is inversely proportional to the relation to the performer.  It works like this.  The instrument always sounds best to the performer.  It sounds pretty good to the performer’s closest relatives.  It sounds politely passable to friends and acquaintances.  And to everybody else, it sounds like an endorsement for earplugs.  If this law were not true, orchestras would only consist of drums and harmonicas.

This is what I was thinking as I sat in the school auditorium on a warm spring evening listening to my son’s concert band warm up with rousing renditions of the B flat and C major scales; which I think were played simultaneously.    Eventually, the conductor ticked his baton on a music stand and the audience of proud parents grew silent.

My son lifted his horn with anticipation, and just before the downbeat filled the entire auditorium with music. Great, big, beautiful music.

It’s a fundamental law, you know.

The post Love is Deaf appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.