Music and Kids...
What Do You Do?

Music has always been an integral part of society. It brings people together, it expresses emotions we cannot otherwise verbalize, it helps us learn, communicate, exercise and much more. However, the ever changing technological landscape of today’s day and age is having an unforeseen affect on our children.

The industry is being incorporated into their lives much earlier than in past generations. The Walkman was a huge boost to portability, and as the years have past, the acceptance of having the tunes you want with you at all times has become more of an expectation than a luxury.

The advent of the internet, digital files, and ever shrinking - ever expanding portable disk capabilities, is making its way into our children’s daily lives.

First the portable CD player, now a dinosaur in terms of portability, can be purchased for $5-$10 in most major stores. This is an inexpensive way to introduce young ones ages 6 and up to the music they love. Burning CD’s means you never have to worry if they get scratched, you can just burn a new one. Certainly you can buy even the playschool versions for 3 to 6 year olds if you so desire. Then they can listen to “The wheels on the bus” however many times they want!

Of course, you’re not anybody if you don’t have your own device on the playground.

On the internet they are watching Cheetah Girls videos and Disney plays Ali and AJ music video set every third commercial break. They make their way to Yahoo and even You Tube to watch the most current and outrageous videos. And of course if you can’t “Crank Dat” like Soulja Boy then you must be out of the loop.

These concepts are nothing new, they have been part of our rite of passage to adulthood for centuries. However, the vast availability from all this various media has led to our children participating much earlier than in previous generations.

As a parent, participate. Learn to “Crank Dat” (Radio/Kids Version Please). If you can’t “Crank”, then watch your kids and cheer them on. It may not be your thing, but it is theirs. When you are open to their “things” they are more likely to stay open with you. You have a better chance of catching those questionable situations and nipping them in the bud before they become bigger problems.

Music is a catalyst to bringing people together. Use it to keep your blended family strong and open with one another.