Introduce Your Child to Classical Music 

The holidays are a perfect time to introduce your child to the wonders of classical music. Young children, who have not yet “learned” that classical music is serious and “boring,” can respond freely, with characteristic exuberance, to the rich variety of sound, texture, and rhythm.

Will classical music make your child smarter? Don Campbell, author of the well-known book The Mozart Effect in 2001 (Harper Paperbacks) certainly thought so, but since then, studies have been inconclusive. Many music educators, however, believe that early exposure to classical music builds a foundation for later success in learning an instrument, as well as a lifelong love of music. In my experience as an early childhood music specialist, young children love to listen, dance, and play instruments along with classical music when it is presented in an age-appropriate way.

My suggestion: Keep it short. Keep any “directions” short and easy to understand (i.e., “Let’s pretend we’re snowflakes!”). And of course—keep it fun!

Here are some classical music experiences, which your child may enjoy. As you listen, play a game to try to identify the different instruments you hear—piano, flute, violin, drums. That may spark your child’s interest in wanting to start lessons and learn more.

• “Nutcracker March” by Tchaikovsky. Play along to the beat of this festive march on a drum or a clean coffee can with a taped-down lid. Boom away during the loud sections and tap lightly in the softer sections. When children can join in by playing instruments along with the music, it makes their experience especially engaging and meaningful.
• “Symphony No. 94 in G Major (“Surprise”)” by Haydn. The opening to Haydn’s “Surprise Symphony” is a tranquil, stately tune ending in a loud “surprise” chord. (Legend has it Haydn wanted to wake up his sleepy audiences.) Try making a stuffed animal do a little dance to the opening tune, and then jump up in the air, startled, at the loud chord. Young children absolutely adore this game. When your child is familiar with the music, let her make the stuffed animal dance and jump. It’s also fun to join in on the “surprise” chord with cymbals, pot lids, or aluminum pie plates crashed together.
• “William Tell Overture” by Rossini. It’s no wonder this piece was used as the “Lone Ranger” theme—it’s impossible to listen to it without imagining galloping horses. Upside-down yogurt or applesauce cups make a wonderful clip-clop sound on a smooth surface like wood. Your child will have a great time “galloping” along with this exciting music.
• “German Dance in C Major, No.3 (“The Sleigh Ride”)” by Mozart. This really does sound like a sleigh ride (listen for the bells!) on a brisk winter day. Play along with jingle bells and enjoy the ride. You can make an easy bell bracelet by stringing jingle bells through a pipe cleaner and twisting the ends together. Your child can wear it and shake his hand to the beat, or simply hold it and shake it.
• “Waltz of the Snowflakes” from “Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. Fold a coffee filter in quarters, snip out little shapes in the folded sides, unfold, and voila!—a beautiful snowflake. (Your child can make it extra sparkly by gluing on glitter or sequins.) Listen to the delicate, joyful “Waltz of the Snowflakes” and let your snowflakes drift down from the sky, whirl in the wind, dance, and gently fall.
• “Aquarium” from “Carnival of the Animals” by Saint-Saens. This piece has always reminded me of a starry winter night. I love to play this in the background while reading a nighttime story such as Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson (Scholastic Press, 2004). The mysterious music and the lovely, gentle story create a magical moment. For me, it perfectly captures the beauty and wonder of the holiday season.
• “Trepak” from “Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. This lively dance (also called the “Russian Dance”) is a popular favorite. Children have a great time dancing, jumping, kicking, and twirling along. Your child will want to dance to it again and again.

I hope these ideas will inspire you to share more classical music experiences with your young child. Enjoying classical music can lead to a child’s future interest in playing an instrument, taking lessons, singing, and living a life enriched by the magic of music.

Suggested recordings to look for in local stores or online music download sites:

• Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker—Complete Ballet (Philips, B00000A1GL, 1998)
• Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 92, 94 & 96 (Sony, B00008PXA3, 2003)
• Moving with Mozart, CD (Kimbo Educational, B00000IPAZ , 2000)
• William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures (Telarc, B000003CTP , 1990)
• Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals (Decca, B0000041QC , 1990)
   

Abby Connors is an early-childhood music specialist and author of 101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children (Gryphon House, 2004). She lives in Plainsboro, New Jersey.

December 2008

Local Resources 

Calderone School of Music
website

256 Morris Ave.
Springfield, NJ  07081
973-467-4688

34 Ridgedale Ave.
East Hanover, NJ 07936
973-428-0405

Carolyn Klinger-Kueter

424 St. Marks Ave.
Westfield, NJ 07090
908-233-9094
website

Center for Music and Young Children
66 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08542
609-924-7801
website

Kenny’s Music Box
19 Rt. 10 E., Bldg. 1, Ste. 3A
Succasunna, NJ 07876
973-927-6711
website

Kindermusik with Susan Leone

1677 Springfield Ave.
Maplewood, NJ
973-762-6575
website

Music Together

Bernards Township, Morristown
NJ
732-868-1837
website

Chatham, Summit
NJ
973-509-9787
website

Chester
NJ
973-219-2181
website

Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, South Orange
NJ
973-761-7020
website

Randolph
NJ
973-328-4288
website

Scotch Plains, Westfield Area, Madison
NJ
908-822-9400
website

Berkeley Heights, Metuchen, Watchung
NJ
908-755-7510
website

The Musical Discount Center
345 North Ave.
Garwood, NJ 07027
908-789-1939
musicaldiscountcenter.com
personaleducationmusicservice.com