Kids and Music :: How Music Helps a Creative Child

Kids and music is not a foreign concept to me. Ever since I was three years old, I played the piano and kept it up until I was 17 years old. I knew more of music than anything else. It was quite literally, my life.

Did I love it?

Meh.

Did I hate it?

Sometimes – Scratch that… all the time. 

But one thing is for sure – I needed it. I needed to be exposed to music at a young age, because it was one of my main creative and artistic outlets for when I sought greener pastures as a young adult. 

Many of you don’t know this, but I sang for a living for almost 2 decades of my life prior to starting my family. Without knowing it, I supported myself and actually put food on the table singing for events, spending endless nights behind the studio glass, and making art out of music. Was I good? That’s yet to be determined. But I loved it. I loved making melodies and harmonies, and challenging myself with vocal ranges I never knew I had. I stepped out of my comfort zone and got over my fear of stage fright. I met amazing human beings – so talented, that, often times, I felt like I had no business being in their presence. 

But mostly, I gained confidence. I learned to be the best I could be while doing something I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned to create without reservation and not be limited by rules and extraneous noise. I learned to be completely immersed in the beauty of art without having to pretend I understand the meaning behind the colorful strokes of traditional art. I created my own art, and it made me into who I am today.

And now, I’m passing the torch, also known as the love of music, to my little girl. Kids and music, what a beautiful sight.

Kids and music go hand in hand. It supports their need to explore a different area of their brain that may not be otherwise utilized without the implementation of art and music. I love how she picks up her little ukulele and falls into her own world. She may not get every note right, but she maintains a thought process much like creating a story or drawing a photo. I’ve learned not to over-correct or hover over her, as she moves her fingers swiftly across the strings. I let her make her mistakes, and pick up where she left off. On her own accord. 

My parents have always had a love for music. My mom played the piano and sang in service to others and communities. I always admired her ability to lose herself in the music. I was different. I was very technical and focused more on the end goal, rather than enjoying getting there. My daughter is the polar opposite (thank goodness). I noticed that she’s just enjoying the sounds the instrument makes, and forgets what and who is around her. Whenever she has a concert, she is the one that looks around her and forgets to play because she is so mesmerized by the orchestration of string instruments filling up the room. I used to be worried about that. Is my daughter unable to focus? Why is she the only one not playing? Does she even LIKE playing? But then after each concert, there is an undeniable look of pure accomplishment as she giggles her way into my proud embrace. My baby girl loves music!

We have found creative ways to learn school-related concepts with the use of music. Before school everyday I sing a little song in her ear to remind her of the everyday like “keep your hands to yourself!” or “always wash your hands before you take a bite”, and it gives her that extra boost to start her day. We often sing “I love you” and “let’s get this over with” randomly singing it while clumsily finishing up our chores. We start the day and end the night with songs that we know will shift our moods and help us get to the next place we need to go whether it’s to the breakfast counter, or snuggled up to our pillows. Music is everything in this home. 

When life gets challenging, or dare I say, boring (gah – I loathe that word)… Little Mama puts on her DJ headphones and sets up shop. Kids and music means any and all music, as far as she is concerned. If it isn’t strumming the D chord on her ukulele, it’s blasting out Prince and Michael Jackson number one hits on our speakers. She dances and drags me with her. We spend time together falling over our feet and laughing hysterically. Lip synching is our absolute favourite, given we can barely keep the lyrics straight. It makes it that much more entertaining.

Music fills our home at any given moment. It lifts our spirits and introduces a lovely atmosphere of lightheartedness and closeness. We can be silly, we can be ourselves, and we can escape the reality that’s not always so easy at times. I may not know much as a mom, but I think I’ve got this right – kids and music is an essential part of growing up. I want my Little Mama to always know that in this chaos of life, there’s nothing a short verse of her favourite tune can’t fix. 

Loving music, is loving life.

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