Four reasons that music counts
Can you count to four? Can you keep a steady beat or do you feel you have "no musical bone in your body?"Music really counts...here's why.
- Counting is a basic life skill that everyone needs. Your child of any age benefits from counting practice. In music we often count evenly to four.
- The simple act of counting aloud to four focusses and clears the mind for action. Try it now. Why does it work? More than likely you took a breath before counting and another one after wards. This is a basic form of meditation and relaxation. Counting breaths, counting sheep...all very relaxing and a healthy distraction from the intensity of life.
- The regular rhythm of music speaks to a child's heart. It is calming. The definition of calming is "a situation of complete peace and quiet, with no, trouble or anxiety...what a gift to give our children or to ourselves.
- Hearing melodies in music takes our minds to another place. Creativity is stimulated. Counting aloud while learning a melody on an instrument involves concentration and relaxation at the same time. What an amazing duo of intellect, co-ordination and satisfaction is created. No wonder learning music is GOOD for us!
Have some fun with your toddler/pre-schooler today practicing how to count aloud to four. Use apples, oranges, fingers or toys. Not only is counting objects fun, it builds pre-music skills and stimulates creativity within free play. Extend the activity to the outdoors to count trees, birds, waves on the ocean, or cars. Let me know how you go.
