Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Fort Worth, TX

Today, I've invited Laura Melson, Early Childhood Coordinator, and Mandy Mills, Business Assistant, with The Master's Touch School of Music and Performing Arts to share with you the power music has in the life of pre-schoolers.  Here's what they have to say:

Children love music!  Singing, dancing, tapping, and swaying all come naturally to them.  Young children are the most receptive to musical experiences and when you bring music into a child's life they learn things that can be carried on for a lifetime.

Music has proven effects on the development of motor skills, self esteem, academics, performance, language, social skills and so much more.  A preschool-age child's mind is much attuned to changing rhythms and pitches.  Singing is an effective tool to foster basic language skills.  Things like triangles and rhythm sticks teach children short and long sounds.  Barred instruments such as xylophones enable children to hear sounds that move up and down.  Having a child mimic a sound or tune into a microphone at a young age lets them hear themselves, which promotes positive self esteem and pitch matching.  Music should be a fundamental part of every youngster's life.  Edwin Gordon, from Temple University, has found that the earlier and more varied a child's music experiences, the greater the prospects for growth and development in music.

Here at The Master's Touch School of Music and Performing Arts, we offer group classes beginning at 6 months for parents and children to attend together.  They will sing and dance,  play peek- a-boo and limbo, experiment with all different kinds of instruments, as well as listen to musical stories. Tools like parachutes, maracas, Orff instruments, and drums help to develop a steady beat and pitch matching.  At the age of 3, they can begin to learn more advanced skills in our Merry Music Makers class for 3 to 5 year olds.  We also have Group Piano and Keyboard classes beginning at the age of 4. 

Parents can also do things at home to nurture the love of music.  Singing to your little one while tapping their feet can help them to hear the tones and feel the beat.  Swaying and dancing with your child will help them to feel the music as well.     

It is proven that music begins to have a profound influence on children as early on as birth.  Our early childhood classes provide an excellent way for children to develop skills at an early age that will benefit them for years to come. 

Remember: Fill your child's world with great music and love every day! Seeing the delight shining on their faces with songs, music, and dancing is worth the effort even if your child does not turn out to be the next Mozart, Stravinsky, or Pavarotti!