There are many benefits to getting your child to learn music. In fact, it is an important part of their development. It allows them to express themselves, and it is a great stress reliever.

To develop an appreciation and love for music will take more just learning it. In order to get your child to appreciate the full worth of music and the impact it has on their lives, you will have to:

1. Start early
2. Continue their education
3. Allow them to explore on their own when they’re old enough

Is Appreciation for Music Needed?

In short, the answer is yes.

Music is a universal language. It has no boundaries. It opens doors into other cultures and periods in history. No one can say they don’t like music, because everyone is affected by it.

By teaching your child to appreciate different types of music, you are teaching them to develop an open mind. You are also teaching them that cultural boundaries are not exactly walls to keep people out. If they can connect to someone from a different background, they will develop necessary social skills, tolerance and will have more opportunities open to them in life.

Start Early

A child’s love of music can start when they are in the womb. The New York Times reports that babies can listen and learn while in the womb. It probably won’t skyrocket your child’s IQ but it can have a healthy effect on them once they are born – if it’s done in moderation.

Once they’re born, a child’s mind is a sponge, so try to expose them to different types of music. Soothing music, like classical, is probably best to start out with. If you have music from your culture you want your child to become familiar with, you can introduce that to them gradually and slowly. Don’t bombard them, especially if the music is busy and loud. You don’t want to stress your baby out.

Continue Their Education

Once they are old enough, you can start to introduce your child to tools that will help them continue their education. There are several ways that you can do this.

Toys: Buy your children musical instruments or toys that are designed for their age. A xylophone or small toy piano may not seem like a big deal to you, but to your child, it can be a great learning tool.

Apps: There are a lot of apps available to teach and encourage your child for music. Make sure you investigate the apps before you download them, just as a precaution.

Classes: If you feel like your child is ready, sign them up for some music classes. Sites like LessonRating.com can help you find teachers in your local area who can teach your child how to read sheet music, play instruments, and sing. Once they understand how the world of music works, they will develop a deeper appreciation for it.

Concerts: Once your child gets old enough to appreciate a concert, take them to a few. Listening to a symphony orchestra or attending a jazz festival can be a relaxing way to spend a few hours.

Let Them Make Their Own Decisions

Once they’re old enough to develop their own tastes in music, allow them to explore what’s available out there. You don’t want to restrict your child to a certain type of music. The entire point of teaching them to love and appreciate music is so that they can discover new things about the world and themselves. The only way to do that is to keep trying new things, so let them.

Don’t be disappointed if they drift away from the music they grew up on. Remember, your child is an individual, not a copy of you. But don’t be surprised if later on in life they go back to that music. They just may consider them a part of the classics that enabled them to appreciate music in the first place.