The Art of Music

Raising Musical Kids

By Shel Franco

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These same cities with children's orchestras and choirs are often home to organized preschool music programs such as Gymboree Play and Music, Kindermusik, and Music and More. Here, parents participate with their youngsters in 8- to 12-week courses that involve learning about the world around them through singing, rhythm, and explorations with musical instruments.

Shelli Minnaugh, of Richmond, Va., and her daughter attended an eight-week Music and More class. While her daughter was more interested in running around during class time, Minnaugh noticed that the music did seep in. "They do give you a tape of the music, and she loved listening and singing along to it while in the car."

The early years are about building a love of and strong foundation for music. According to Kramer, formal instrument insurrection does not usually begin until the first grade, although some teachers will begin instruction with 4-year-olds. In this case, Kramer says that the preschooler is usually limited to instruction on piano and violin.

Cook's 3-year-old has already asked to take music lessons. She happens to be a musician and plans on instructing him on the violin at home. It is important to Cooke that her son has the opportunity to try instruments. She recalls how her interest in music was mostly ignored as a child, and she refuses to let that happen to her son. But what if he's not really interested in music lessons? "I won't push it at all," Cooke says. "I'll just continue listening to music with him."

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