We trust parents to have good instincts.
Like many parents, perhaps you have noticed that your child is constantly humming, making up songs, rhythmically pounding on pots and pans or recognizing tempos, timbre or even various instruments when they hear them. Perhaps they are calmed by music when nothing else seems to reach them. These may be early indicators of innate music aptitude, and we're here to help you explore the possibilities!
When we meet children for the first time, not only do we play games to gather information about where a child is developmentally, but we provide a fast-paced musical experience that helps us to identity many of their musical aptitudes, gifts and sensititivities . Then we can use our professional expertise to recommend the best next step for each child.
With all the distractions going on in the world, it’s all too easy for a genetically gifted child to lose their musical talent when that talent is not properly nurtured. As Pablo Picasso once said, “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Whether or not you come from a family of musicians, recognizing musical talent in your kids at an early age is important so you can support them and help nurture that talent. Whether it is regarding musical abilitities, althletic skills or something else, we know that parents know their kids, and we trust that.
Although some parents come to Arts Educators Group because they know music is an asset in anyone's life, most of them come to us because they have noticed a particular responsiveness to music in their child.
Like many parents, perhaps you have noticed that your child is constantly humming, making up songs, rhythmically pounding on pots and pans or recognizing tempos, timbre or even various instruments when they hear them. Perhaps they are calmed by music when nothing else seems to reach them. These may be early indicators of innate music aptitude, and we want to explore that with you!
When we meet children for the first time, not only do we play games to gather information about where a child is developmentally, but we provide a fast-paced musical experience that helps us to identity many of their musical aptitudes, gifts and sensititivities . Then we can use our professional expertise to recommend the best next step for each child.
Is my child musically gifted?
Although we are all born with some kind of music inside of us, to some, the nuances of music come more easiliy than others. Many are not aware of the research indicates that with a few noteworthy exceptions, many musically gifted students do not obviate their gifts until they are well into the middle phase ("Phase 2") of music learning. This means that you may have a Bernstein or Beethoven in your home and not know it!
We can however, take note of early interest or natural aptitude that with proper nurture, can develop into something truly wonderful. Either way, it is the heart of Arts Educators group to nurture the music in every child to blossom into its full potential. In addition to the early indicators noted above, here are some additioanl questions to consider as you observe your child's interaction with music:
- Do they recognize songs or melodies easily (from a few notes or sounds--e.g., "Name that tune in...")
- Do they seem to move with a steady beat when hearing rhythmic music?
- Do they move with music in an expressive way?
- Can they discern the varying sounds and or recognize different instruments?
- Do they gravitate toward music instruments or singers when they are around them?
- Do they notice if instruments or singers seem to be off tune?
- Does your child's mood change upon hearing music (evoking sadness, joy, excitement etc.)
- Can they harmonize to tunes that they hea?
- Can they pick out tunes on an instrument or computer?
- Are they enthralled by music?
Building on what parents have already noticed in their children, our Educational Specialists (E.S.) can take the inquiry even deeper and measure it against thousands of assessments that have been conducted in our partnership with The Music Place. Although the range of information we can gather varies by child, (and is, of course dependent on their age and ability to interact with our E.S. team) here are some of the questions our assessment can usually answer regarding your child:
- Can they discern a high sound from a low sound?
- Can they compare higher and lower sounds?
- Can they recognize distances between notes? To what extent?
- How long of a melody (without words) can they retain upon hearing it once?
- Can they keep a steady beat with or without rhythmic support?
- Can discern major and minor (happy and sad) when compared to one another?
- Can they recognized major and minor when played alone without comparison?
- Do this child sing accurately? (Parents: Could you recognize a song they were singing if it did no include the words?)
- How wide is their operational singing range? ( anyoen can squeak out a very high or veyr low not, but what is the range of regular singing?)
- What is their attitude when singing? In front of a stranger? at Home?
- What is their favorite song? (Is it a simple nursery rhyme or a more complex song?--indicating they see themselves as singers)
- Can they sing a simple round (e.g., "Row Row Row your boat" or in harmony?
- Are they enthralled by music?
Loving music more, growing the ability to embrace music with greater sensitivity and skill and letting music help a student feel great about themselves is our primary goal. This is the beginning of truly great achievement.
"Once you recognize your [child's talent] in music, it is your duty, as a parent, to help him apply this talent and achieve his full potential.
Not only that, when you open music as a path your child could take, you’ll be equipping him for life with real skills and have fulfilled some big achievements as a parent.
"So in fact, whether it’s in your child’s nature or not, we encoruage you to nurture his talent and provide the right environment for him to grow as a musician. One day, the world may benefit from his music and we’ll have you to thank for it!" Date: September 7, 2017 / Categories: Getting Discovered, / Author: Chell