Research has found that learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. “A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening and moving is really bringing a very serious benefit to children as they progress into more formal learning,” says Mary Luehrisen, executive director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation, a not-for-profit association that promotes the benefits of making music. (from pbs.org)
Our Pinterest Board this week has ideas for making instruments, making music, enjoying music, and learning about music of different cultures.
Field Trips
- Minneapolis Parks have music and movies in the parks every night and Tuesday afternoons. You can find the whole schedule here.
- Centennial Park in Bloomington has concerts for kids every week. Check website for upcoming events.
- There are so many different free music events that I’m not going to list them all! Here’s a resource through Family Fun (which is a terrific resource anyway.)
Online music experiences
- Carnegie Hall has a whole series of lessons about music around the world. designed for teachers but you can certainly use them! Share your own country’s musical traditions with your host kids.
- Lincoln Center’s Concerts for Kids
- PBS has an amazing amount of activity ideas and lessons. Here’s an interactive activity where kids can have fun while learning about music.
Books about music – read alouds
- I Got the Rhythm
- Jazz Dog: Being Different
- Allegro
- Music is in Everything
- Reading Rainbow Zin Zin Zin! A Violin Story
Spend this week making music with your kiddos! There’s so much music in the world – all you have to do is listen.