Learning music can be an incredibly enriching experience for children. Not only does it provide them with a creative outlet, but it can also help with their cognitive development, improve their academic performance and increase self-confidence. However, for many kids, the idea of sitting down to practice an instrument can seem like a chore rather than something fun and enjoyable.
That's why it's important to make learning music as engaging and fun as possible. In this article, we'll explore some tips and tricks for making learning music fun for kids, as well as introduce you to My Music Workshop, an on-demand music lesson website designed specifically for children.
1. Let Them Choose Their Instrument
One of the most important things you can do to make learning music fun for kids is to let them choose the instrument they want to play. While you may have your heart set on your child playing the piano or the violin, forcing them into an instrument they don't enjoy will only make the learning process feel like a chore.
Instead, let your child explore their options and pick an instrument that speaks to them. It could be something traditional like the guitar or drums, or something more unusual like the ukulele or the banjo. Whatever it is, letting your child choose their own instrument will make them more invested in the learning process and more likely to stick with it.
Here are two ways to help your child find the right instrument:
-If they are younger, get a few inexpensive instruments and let them play as much as they want. A keyboard, small ukulele, a microphone and a single drum with sticks are a perfect variety that will allow your kids to explore and decide what they like.
-If your child is a bit older, take them to a music store or a musical instrument museum (if you live near a larger city) and let them try a piano, guitar, drums, ukulele and other instruments to see what they like best.
We believe the piano, drums and ukulele are great instruments to start kids with but, it’s ultimately up to your child and what keeps them excited about learning.
2. Find (and let them learn) Music They Love
Another great way to make learning music fun for kids is to find music they love. Whether it's pop, rock, hip-hop, or classical, there's bound to be a genre of music that your child is passionate about. Gear their learning towards music that they like. Learning music doesn’t have to be done in a traditional way that focuses on classical music, or typical learning methods. Kids can stay more motivated and excited by learning the music that they love, and by learning musical skills that pertain to their favorite music. By connecting their musical education to the music they love, you'll make the learning process feel more relevant and engaging.
3. Make Practice Time Fun
Practicing an instrument can be a daunting task, especially for younger children. To make it more enjoyable, don’t make practice a rigid, academic activity. Make it something kids look forward to.
Ways to do this can be letting them play along with the music they like (just jamming), keeping practice sessions short to start with (15 mins 3-4 times a week), encouraging them to come up with their own songs, melodies, beats or patterns, and offering them rewards for consistent practice.
You could even consider, grabbing an instrument yourself and jamming along with them! You don’t have to have much skill, just playing something together can be a blast! Remember music is play (we “play” music)!
4. Find Great Music Lessons
In today's digital age, there are a ton of resources available online to help make learning music more fun and interactive. My Music Workshop, for example, is an on-demand music lesson website designed specifically for kids.
With lessons that focus on piano, drums, singing, ukulele, reading music, music theory and more, My Music Workshop offers a fun and engaging way for kids to learn music at their own pace. The platform uses a combination of video lessons, interactive quizzes, printable worksheets and materials and play-along practice tracks to make learning music as entertaining as possible.
We also have a team of professionals that have worked with kids for decades. Our curriculum and learning methods stem from years of working directly with kids in the classroom and online. Our aim is to make music approachable, fun and enriching.
We also seek to make learning music accessible, convenient and affordable. We offer plans starting at $9.99/mo for full access to all of our lessons and materials.
You can give My Music Workshop a try for free by clicking below.
5. Incorporate Music into Your Schedule
You may be a family that listens to a lot of music, if so, great! If not, no problem! To support your child as they learn music and to make learning music more fun, start making listening to music a habit.
You can put on background music while doing your morning routine, while in the car, during meals, during family game time, and even while playing in the yard. Let your kids pick the music you listen to in order to get them more excited and interested in music.
Our family often rotates who picks the song through the four of us. Each person gets a song, or a few songs, then it goes to the next person. This is a little more of an active way of listening to music, but it keeps the kids involved. After doing this our kids wake up singing their favorite songs, which is great! It keeps kids connected with music. This is super important, especially while they are learning an instrument.
In conclusion, learning music can be a fun and enriching experience for kids, as long as it's approached in the right way. By letting your child choose their own instrument, making practice time fun, finding music they love, finding great lessons, and incorporating music into your family’s routine, you'll create an environment that's engaging and enjoyable. And with resources like My Music Workshop available, it's easier than ever to make learning music a fun and interactive experience for kids.
My Music Workshop is an online platform designed to provide on-demand music lessons for kids. Our lessons are built to be fun and approachable. We know that learning music can be daunting. We take the mystery out of learning music and make it fun. Success is one of the keys to enjoying the learning process, so we create bite sized successes from the first lesson.
We aim to make learning music fun and effective for kids. We use the analogy of a vitamin being put inside of ice cream. Kids get to enjoy the ice cream, but also get the benefits of the vitamin. Our lessons are fun, playful and energetic, but they also teach kids what they need to know about their instrument or about music in general.
One of the great things about My Music Workshop is that it allows kids to learn at their own pace, repeat lessons AND practice along with the lesson. Getting kids to practice can be a challenge at times. We build the practice into the lessons. So, kids learn a new concept then practice it right away, along with music. This makes learning music way more fun that practicing alone, or without music.
Another benefit of My Music Workshop is that it's accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that kids can access their lessons from home, school, or on-the-go, making it a convenient option for busy families. Additionally, the platform offers a free 7-day trial, so parents can feel confident that their investment in their child's musical education is a sound one.
Overall, My Music Workshop is a great resource for parents looking to make learning music fun and engaging for their kids. By combining technology with expert instruction, the platform offers a comprehensive learning experience that is both effective and enjoyable. Whether your child is a beginner or an experienced musician, My Music Workshop has something to offer, and it's a great way to help your child develop a lifelong love of music.
In conclusion, making learning music fun for kids is all about creating a supportive, engaging environment that allows them to explore their interests and develop their skills at their own pace. By letting kids choose their own instrument, making practice time fun, finding music they love, using technology, and getting creative, parents can create an environment that encourages their child's love of music. And with resources like My Music Workshop available, parents have a convenient and effective way to provide their kids with the musical education they deserve. So why not start your child's musical journey today?
