The brains of such children start hearing and processing sounds that they’d otherwise not hear. It helps them in making a neuro-physical distinction between several sounds. This can help them in learning and can lead to improved academic results.

Practice is what really matters

Upon reading about such things, many parents would immediately start searching for music classes in the neighborhood. It is important for them to understand that music must not be forced. If the kids are not interested in learning music, enrolling them for such classes wouldn’t help them at all. They’ll just be staring at a wall instead of learning music. 

A study conducted at Northwestern University clearly explains this fact. It revealed that children just can’t simply attend these classes and let music cast a spell on them. They’ll have to actively participate in the class, learn the lessons, and practice.

The study also showed that there was an improved neural processing in students who actively practiced their music lessons. Such degree of improvement in neural processing was not found in kids who attended music appreciation groups. It was not just listening but making music that made all the difference. 

The active creation and manipulation of sounds is what makes music rewire the brain in kids. This study pointed out that it was important for children to actively participate and meaningfully engage with sounds. After all, this was the key to stimulating changes in the brain.

The Harmony Project as an example

The Harmony Project is a community program for children from low-income households. It provides them with free music instructions and instruments. On the website of The Harmony Project, one can find some interesting data. It is mentioned on the site that 93 percent of its seniors have gone on to college since 2008. This was despite a dropout rate of over 50 percent in their neighborhoods. 

This clearly indicates that music can have some positive effects on the brains of children. The level of engagement in music training also matters. Children who regularly attend music classes and actively participate in them are always at an advantage. Their brains greatly improve on processing speech and reading.

It is a myth that just listening to certain types of music leads to improved intelligence. Such biological changes are not seen in kids who just listen to music and don’t play any instrument. For instance, no individual can become physically fit just by watching people exercise. Engagement with sounds is important for reaping the benefits and witnessing positive changes in the central nervous system. 

Parents are largely responsible for keeping the children interested in playing their chosen instruments. They must find out what kind of music their children love and the instrument they like. In addition to this, they must also find good music teachers for their kids.  

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There are many different forms of entertainment available for those who visit the city’s casinos. Of course, gambling is what placed Las Vegas on the world map, but this has changed in recent times. Now the casino hotels are also home to the finest clubs, restaurants, and shopping centers in the world. Online gambling is a huge industry now too. The idea is to bring the Las Vegas experience into your home! Of course you won’t get to enjoy any live shows, but there’s always streamable entertainment. For more info on reputable online gaming CasinosJungle has some helpful information.

It seems that all the big casinos have been planning a diversification of their revenue streams. One of them is music concerts, which feature the performances of top artists from the music industry. Now, let’s have a look at the three famous musicians who’ve performed at the casino venues in Las Vegas.

1. Liberace

He was a famous pianist who performed frequently in several venues of Las Vegas. He had to play at night clubs and movie theaters to earn a living in the early days of his career. A major breakthrough in his career came when ‘The Liberace Show’ was premiered in 1951. 

Lierances exceptional piano skills and his charms won many hearts. His devotion towards his mother was greatly appreciated by female audiences. His weekly earnings at the Riviera amounted to $50,000. It is, by today’s standards, quite a huge amount. 

2. Elvis Presley

It was after his performance at the International Hotel that Elvis garnered a lot of fans. More than 800 performances were given by Elvis in his early days at this hotel in Las Vegas. Even the biggest stars of rock n’ roll were impressed by his performances. 

The popular singer had some of his greatest moments in the Sin City. Thousands of fans who came for his concerts didn’t want his performances to end. Besides singing, he also used to entertain his fans with some humor and acrobatics.

3. Celine Dion

In order to make way for Colosseum, the Strip showrooms at Caesars Palace had to be rebuilt. When this was done, it was none other than Celine Dion who filled the space. She has made her presence felt on the Strip since 2003. Incorporating dancing and acrobatics on the stage, she enchanted audiences with her magical voice. She could also cheer the crowds with her charms, purity, and a great sense of humor.

If the gamblers are lucky, they can witness one of the mesmerizing performances of their favorite artists. Some of these celebrities also make a trip to the casinos to try their skills at the tables. One can only imagine the feeling of being able to get some excellent snaps clicked with them.

It won’t be appropriate for gambling enthusiasts who have kids to visit such adult entertainment venues. They can sign up on any of the popular online casinos and play some exciting slots or table games. Those who are new to online casinos can visit the casino review sites to get all the necessary information. 

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As a result, they have the desire to see their children succeed in music. Even if their kids are not performing with the Chicago Symphony, parents want them to learn music. They want them to be a part of the church pre-school choir or one of the school concert bands.

However, forcing a child to learn music when they are small kids is not the right approach. Many adults who were forced to train in a certain musical instrument when they were young ended up hating it. So, to avoid such situations, it is necessary that the parents wait until their children grow older. 

At a certain age, they develop the ability to know what is right and what is wrong for them. This is the age when they can choose their own musical instrument. They can even make a decision whether they want to learn an instrument or not.

The role of parents

Parents must be more like guides for their children and not someone who controls all their choices. When it comes to music, it is always beneficial to start right after their birth. The studies that have been conducted over the years also support this view. From birth to age 9 can be a good time for developing a musical sensibility in kids. 

At this stage, their mental abilities to understand and process music are in the prime development stages. It is, therefore, an important time for exposing children to music. The goal at this stage is not to master the instruments or vocals. It is to develop a meaningful relationship with music.

At this early stage of development in a child, the approach must not be very formal. Parents must create an environment of music around them. Then, they can help their kids to focus on the music with some activities involving simple movements. 

They can be musical games, dancing, or swaying to the song being played. Parents can hold their babies while dancing, singing, or playing an instrument. While they are performing such activities, the parents must carefully study the responses of their children. This would help them in understanding whether they need to put in some more effort.

The age for formalized lessons

Once the child reaches the age of three, it would be the right time to introduce more formalized lessons. The goal must not be to make him or her learn to play a musical instrument. It must be to develop his or her skills further. Enrolling them in one of the pre-school music classes would be a good start. 

By the time such children reach the age of five, they’ll have a good foundation for formal music lessons. When they are ten years of age, they can choose their musical instrument. This is the age for them to make the transition from gaining experience in music to improving their performance.    

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Music can reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, improve respiration, and relax muscle tension. Besides playing the musical instrument, a child must also be encouraged to listen to music, write songs, and sing. However, nothing must be forced. These are the things that must come naturally to the kids.

The perks of learning to play a musical instrument

A study conducted at Northwestern University revealed some interesting aspects of music. According to the study, children must not just sit and listen to music. In order to get all the benefits of music, they must actively engage themselves in learning it. Here are some of the benefits that children can get while learning to play a musical instrument:

1. Improved listening skills

Playing an instrument is not as easy as it appears on the television or live concerts. It demands that the children listen carefully to what they’re playing as well as many different things around them. They need to pay attention to instructions given by their teacher. They also need to focus on pitch, rhythm, and speed. Such levels of concentration would certainly improve their skills not only in music but also in life.

2. Enhanced memory

As the child gets trained in a particular musical instrument, he or she generates, stores, and brings back memories. This happens more effectively in them during practice sessions as they provide a regular workout for the brain. It can also help the child or teen in distracting himself or herself from negative thoughts or pain.

3. Improved mathematical abilities

While it’s a fact that playing a musical instrument is a creative act, it is also associated with math. During the sessions, the child tries to understand the beat, scales, and rhythm. When doing so, he or she learns how to divide, create fractions, and understand patterns. In a way, music trains the kids to understand different aspects of mathematics.

4. Improved coordination

While playing a musical instrument, the brain works at advanced speeds. As the child reads the musical notes, the brain helps translate this into physical motion of playing the instrument. Thus, a good co-ordination is established between the eyes, the brain, and the hands of the kid. This greatly improves the child’s coordination skills.

5. Enhanced reading and comprehension skills

Children and teenagers who learn and play music have to constantly read and understand. They need to identify a note and recognize the pitch to play with their instrument. Besides, they also have to know how long to hold, what finger to use, and how loud to play. 

During their sessions, they also have to identify whether the note must be played short and crisp. Sometimes, it is connected to the next note. As they learn such things, they develop some great skills in reading and understanding books at school.

6. The value of perseverance and achievement

It takes a lot of time, practice, and patience to learn and master a musical instrument. During the practice sessions, the kids are given long-term as well as short-term goals by their music teachers. As the children achieve these goals, they feel a sense of achievement and fulfilment. They gain a lot of confidence, which can be immensely beneficial for them in the future.

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We’re introduced to music right from the time when we are in our mother’s wombs. It soothes us and we use it to express our moments of joy and love. Music can help in different stages of a child’s development and help him or her learn new skills. 

Benefits of music for children

An important study was conducted at the Brain and Creativity Institute of the University of Southern California in 2016. The results showed a link between childhood experiences with music and brain development. The experiences of a child with music during childhood can accelerate the development of his or her brain. 

This is especially true in the areas of reading and language skills. Learning to play a musical instrument can improve mathematical abilities and even test scores. The benefits of music is not limited to academic achievements. It positively influences all the areas of development in kids. Music also helps a child’s body and mind to work together.

Role of music in the developmental stages of children

Children belonging to different age groups can express themselves through music. Even the infants sway or move their hands and feet in their response to music. Many of the children make up songs and sing them almost with no self-consciousness. As they grow older, they may learn to sing along with others and even dance to their favorite music. 

Infants

In their infancy, children recognize a song’s melody. A quiet background music can soothe their senses, especially during the time of their sleep. Simple, short songs are good for the infants. Parents can make up a song on bathing, eating, or dressing to sing to them while performing those activities.

Toddlers

Toddlers like to sing, move, and dance while music is being played. It helps in developing their abilities in learning a language and memorizing words. They laugh at silly songs. Parents can try singing a familiar song or rhyme and inserting a different word in place of the original word. 

For example, ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ can be made into ‘Twinkle twinkle baby star’. The toddlers can also be encouraged to tap or clap objects to produce rhythms. 

Preschoolers

These kids are not self-conscious about their singing abilities. Such children enjoy singing and are never afraid to be loud when they sing. They like songs that have words and melodies repeated in them. Preschoolers enjoy songs about things they are familiar with, such as toys and animals. This is the reason why most of them like nursery rhymes.

School-age

Many of the young school-age kids begin showing their likes and dislikes for different types of music. Almost all of them find the singalong songs for kids quite fascinating. They especially like songs that involve spelling, counting, or remembering a sequence of events. At this stage of childhood, they may express their interest in learning music.

Teenage

Besides parents and younger kids, teenagers may develop bonds with individuals of their age through music. They also use their musical experiences to set themselves apart from younger kids or their parents. The teenagers may often want to listen to music after school with their group of friends. 

At this stage, some of them can express a strong interest in taking music lessons. Some may also form garage and basement bands.

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Still, you’d would want to leave no stone unturned to help your child form a band. Since a music band is about teamwork, it can also be a great learning experience for your child. Here are some of the things that you can do to help your child form a music band:

1. Select the right band members

This is the very first thing you must do in order to start a band. It can be quite a task for both of you and may require a lot of patience. There are some good ways to find some talented and dedicated child musicians. If your child has friends who are good musicians, your kid can talk to them about this. 

You can put up posters in the neighborhood or spread the word on social media. You can even advertise your child’s intention to start a band in the local newspapers. Once you are able to find the ones who are genuinely interested, a date for audition can be fixed. 

On the day of the audition, you can test the skills of the child musicians. It would be a good idea to give them a few sample music pieces to perform. The attitudes of the children must also be assessed. One of the important things to test is the chemistry between each of the members of the band.

2. Choose a suitable name for the band

Once the music group is formed with the chosen members, it’s time to give this band a name. It must be something that matches the style and the kind of music they intend to play. There can be many ways to do this. Picking some favorite movie names and using parts of the titles can help. 

If they’re still not able to decide, every band member can come up with ten different words. They can be nouns or adjectives. You can then write these words on a paper. The children can pick their favorite words and a name can be formed using them.

3. Get some quality instruments

When you have a band and a great name for them, it’s time to get the instruments. To begin with, be clear on who’ll be the vocalist and who’d be playing what kind of instrument. Once this has been decided, you can invest in some high-quality music instruments. 

Buying the musical instruments can be quite confusing if you don’t belong to the world of music. You can get an expert to help you in this regard. Another good option would be to ask the kids to test the instruments while buying. A detailed research on the internet can also help you in choosing the best instruments to buy.

4. Create a good practice routine

To ensure the success of the band it is extremely important that they practice regularly. In order to facilitate this, you can plan a good practice routine for the kids. The first step is to decide a suitable place where the children can practice. Next is deciding a time that’s mutually beneficial for them to meet up and practice together. They can also be given some individual responsibilities, such as having a good practice at home.

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There can be many solutions for such problems, but it all begins with identifying the challenges they face. Here are some of the common problems faced by kids while learning a musical instrument and the possible solutions:

1. Feeling as if they’re not improving

Despite putting in many hours of hard work, the child may not see any improvement. This is especially true in today’s times when people expect faster results. The feeling that no progress is being made often kills the interest of kids in learning a musical instrument. Such kids must always remember that improvement takes time. Parents and teachers carry a greater responsibility here. 

They must keep these children motivated at all times and appreciate even the smallest of their accomplishments. They must encourage them to keep going even if they feel nothing significant is happening. Kids must also be encouraged to ask their music teachers for some useful insights and tips.

2. Thinking that they aren’t good enough

This is a problem many grown-ups face as well. Just a thought that they’re not good enough can be extremely discouraging for children. It can be devastating when they already have the feeling that they’re working hard without any signs of improvement. Many children often compare themselves with other kids who play the same instrument. 

Instead of using the other kid’s success as a source of inspiration, they tend to make comparisons. This leads to them developing an inferiority complex. Such kids must be taught to use the success of others as a motivation to do better. It would take some effort for the kids to develop this attitude, but it would certainly happen with persistence.

3. Lack of praise and encouragement 

Children can lose their confidence when their friends or family members don’t take their passion for music seriously. Criticism can also be greatly discouraging for kids, especially when they’re playing the instrument right. They feel as if their efforts towards improvement aren’t being acknowledged or praised. 

If the criticism is coming from the kid’s parents, then the child must communicate it to them. The criticizing parent must know how the child feels when he or she is being criticized. If the music teacher is the culprit here, the child must talk to him or her about it. 

Sometimes, two individuals just aren’t right for one another. In such a situation, it would be a good idea to start learning from a new teacher. Some kids prefer gentle, slow-paced musical lessons while others need a little push from others.  

4. Stressful practice schedules

When a child is learning to play a musical instrument, it is always helpful to have a schedule. Having a schedule helps the kid in knowing when to practice and for how long. This is undoubtedly essential for those who have a long-term plan of playing professionally. 

On the other hand, things can go really wrong when a schedule becomes stressful for the child. This happens when it seems more like a full-time job. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary for teachers to decide what works best for the child. Parents must also allow the child to practice at their own pace and have their own personal goals.

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Recent studies conclude that a significant connection exists between music-related activities and a child’s preparedness for writing and reading. They also indicate that awareness of speech sounds can be increased through musical interactions. Children get to learn more about rhythm, which is useful for learning the mathematical patterns. 

Given below are some of the learning activities involving music that can benefit your child immensely:

1. Name the tune

Hum or tap out your kid’s nursery rhyme or song. Then make him or her figure out which song it is. After doing this activity for a while, he or she will surely master the game. You can then make it a bit more challenging. After humming or tapping out the song, make him or her figure it out within a couple of minutes.

2. Dance with me

Gather some bean bags, hula hoops, scarves, rubber balls, and other fun toys. Clear some space in the house and play some good music that your child would enjoy. Then start dancing and ask your kid to dance with you. It’ll be more fun if you have several options in music to choose from. 

Try a variety of songs to know the genre your child is interested in. He or she may like pop, folk, jazz, country, or classical music. You can add your favorite tunes to the list as well.

3. Strike up the band

You’ll need some music-making instruments for this activity. If you don’t have a piano or drum at home, go for some homemade stuff. Gather the pots, pans, or bowls for your child. Then give him or her a wooden or plastic spoon for some great musical session. You can use a closed container to fill in some buttons or beads and give it a shake. In this way, you and your kid can create a small orchestra together.

4. Freeze dance

Play some of your child’s favorite tunes and both of you can then dance to your heart’s content. Then, when your kid is least expecting it, say ‘freeze’ and stop the music. You and your child can then see the funny position you are in at that point. Next, you can test how long both of you can hold the position. Later, you can also have a good laugh with your kid. It’s as simple as it sounds!

5. Draw what you hear

Keep the playlist consisting of different types of music ready. Then hand over some papers and several colored crayons to your child. Start playing the music and ask your kid to draw what he or she is hearing. If your child is having trouble in understanding the activity, demonstrate it to him or her. 

When slow music plays, long lines can be drawn in a dark colour. In the case of a faster tune, shorter and sharper angles using a brighter shade can be drawn. There are no rights or wrongs in this game. Your child must be allowed to create what he or she feels is good.

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It has become easier in recent times for children to listen to music and memorize the lyrics of songs. You can begin by introducing them to a certain style of music that would be easier for them to learn. There are a few other ways to consider for developing your child’s interest in music:

1. Sing with your child

Besides teaching them some simple songs and their lyrics, you can sing with your little kid. This would be a wonderful opportunity for you to bond with your child and make him or her happy. Children feel the natural urge to sing more when they’re given some company by their parents. 

If you know how to play a musical instrument, it would add to the fun. This way, they’ll also learn the art of being in sync with the musical instrument while singing.

2. Listen to some great songs with your kid

Music can be played at any time. You can play the songs while eating, playing, putting your child to sleep, or when doing nothing. While the music is being played, you can also give your child some valuable information on it. 

This can be about the singer, the form of music, and the instruments used. As your child gets to know more about such things, they’ll develop a keen interest towards music. It would be one of the most enjoyable aspects of the overall experience for your kid.

3. Engage them in activities related to music

There are plenty of activities that your child can do with music. Among them are certain games that involve songs and dance moves. You can go on YouTube and play a video of a musician’s performance for your kid. Even getting involved in arts or crafts associated with music can be fun. 

If they love watching television, it would be a good idea to make them watch music channels. However, you must be careful about the content. It must be suitable for kids and should not be any random stuff. The idea here is to bring in some music into their daily activities.

4. Allow your child to play a musical instrument

If your child is interested in playing a certain kind of musical instrument, he or she must be encouraged. The key is to first observe your kid carefully. It might be possible that he or she is interested either in singing or playing an instrument. 

There’s also a possibility that your child enjoys both the activities. If your kid loves to play a musical instrument, giving him or her the appropriate lessons would be necessary. You can get your kid enrolled for a music class in the neighborhood or sign up for online lessons.

5. Take them to live performances

Attending a live musical performance can be fun and educational for your child. Whenever there’s an opportunity, look out for schedules of touring artists or bands. You can then buy tickets for the entire family and allow your kid to experience those fabulous moments themselves. This would make them appreciate music even more at an early age.

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Here we’ve listed some of the best albums that have come from the incredibly talented teenagers: 

1. Up Tight by Stevie Wonder (1966)

Although Stevie had already produced some albums before he turned 16, this album made him immensely popular. With Up Tight, he won the hearts of numerous music lovers. Some attribute the album’s massive popularity partly to an R&B cover of Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan. Nevertheless, the title track co-written by Wonder managed to climb the charts. 

He far exceeded the expectations that had largely come from him being projected as the next Ray Charles. The album also received great support from The Funk Brothers. Nothing Too Good For My Baby and With a Child’s Heart were two of the other fabulous tracks.

2. Jackson 5 by The Jackson 5 (1970)

Before Michael Jackson became a global phenomenon, he was a member of The Jackson 5. He was only 11 at the time. The five brothers from the Jackson family had formed this group in the 1960s. In 1969, their debut record became immensely successful with its single I Want You Back. The Love You Save and the title track knocked Let It Be from The Beatles off the charts. 

Soon, they swept the entire United States with massive successes of The Young Folks and Jacksonmania. Their merchandise also was in great demand following their enormous success. Everything from posters bearing the heart logo of J5 to coloring books were highly sought after.

3. Frogstomp by Silverchair (1995)

The average age of the members of the Australian band Silverchair was 15. In the video of Tomorrow from the album, one could find the influences of Kurt Cobain. Some thought it was inappropriate for a young band to steal Kurt Cobain’s image. 

A few others even accused the band of stealing from the famous Seattle Sound. Despite all the accusations, the band’s debut album Frogstomp made it to the US Billboard Top 10. Later, it went on to earn a double platinum. The success of this album reminds us of the quote ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’.

4. Earl by Earl Sweatshirt (2010)

Earl was 16 when his eponymous mixtape made its debut. It was released on the Odd Future website as a free digital download in 2010. The tape garnered rave reviews from the critics and generated much interest upon its release. It was notable for its violent lyrics, which detailed the fictional misadventures of Earl. They included kidnapping, rape, murder, and violence. 

References to drugs and sex were also made in the lyrics. On the sister site of Pitchfork Media called Altered Zones, Earl was listed as one of 2010’s top albums. The mixtape was praised for its ferocity and for making the most violent verses sound very eloquent.

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