Mozart or Most Art: What’s Really Good for Kids?
Exposing children to music at an earlier age has been scientifically proven to benefit their development and better their senses – but should we keep the blinders on the classical genre, or is it time to expand our horizon? I'd say the latter. While classical music has been proven as a source of intellectual stimulation, all music comes with unique experiences to engage listeners – especially children. Furthermore, encouraging your child to participate in musical experiences cultivates an appreciation for the arts that we could all use a little more of.
It's important to differentiate between musical events that are appropriate for children and what should be experienced as a teenager or young adult. For example, Metallica probably wouldn't be a top contender for your two year old – but Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival may be a fun festival to explore with your little one. Creating space and dedicating time for experiencing and appreciating music as a whole will lead to more meaningful memories and genuine connections than sitting in front of a television screen ever will. Explore the added benefits of exposing your child to music with Jack Stokes on MusicThinkTank.com
"Everywhere we look, we are bombarded with distractions. At concerts, kids are compelled to focus on music for an extended period of time. When children are actively listening to music – and I’m talking really engaged – they’re listening to the lyrics, singing, dancing, and letting their imaginations be steered by what they’re hearing. When it boils down to it, live music teaches children how to listen."
