Child Sings to Everything

Hello Sonja,

Please enroll your child in music classes. I used to teach violin at Sherwood Conservatory of Music, now part of Columbia College. They have great classes - Music Together - for your daughter's age. My own son - now 10 - took that class when he was a toddler. Music is very much a needed part of children's lives and I would just encourage you to explore this avenue. Never, never think that your children are too young for anything despite what people - even teachers - may tell you. Children are like sponges and absorb EVERYTHING. Allow your children to lead the paths in which they are interested.

My son plays 4 instruments and composes music. If I hadn't created and nurtured that environment for him he wouldn't be where he is today. He is also good with drawing. When he was 4 and already playing violin, it was becoming a struggle to keep him interested because he wanted to do guitar and drums. I am a violinist and naturally wanted him to be too. But we have to listen to our children's desires. I followed his lead to the guitar and drums, which he just so naturally took off on. He now plays at church and is gifted with the piano too. This is now his dominant instrument but plays all rather well.

Hope this helps. Oh, Sherwood's info is ###-###-####, or http://www.colum.edu/Sherwood_Conservatory.

My daughter was the same way- we took her to Wiggleworms at Old Town School of Folk Music and she LOVED it!

If you are in the city, Wiggleworms, at the Old School of Folk Music, has great interactive sing-along classes for toddlers. I would encourage her interest by finding outlets like that.

Mom of a 4-year-old singer!

Provide her with music. If you can, get her her own little music box. It can be one for preschoolers with child proof "cds" or if you think she can handle it, a cd player with toddler songs. Similar to reading and books, if you surround her with music, she will follow along. And of course, just like with books, she may decide later she is not that into it. Let her take the lead. I think it is great you want to encourage her.

Definitely try some music classes! I teach piano at the Suzuki Orff School of Music in Chicago (Chicago Ave close to Milwaukee) and we have great toddler classes that lead to Orff classes. DePaul School of Music Community Division should also have KinderMusic classes. If you're in the suburbs, there are great music schools throughout the area as wel. I would probably encourage to take classes at a music school rather than a toddler play center, because I think the quality of teaching might be more consistent, but it's up to you. Just continue to immerse her in music - lots of listening (to all styles, even classical and opera- they love it!), singing together at home, and some music classes (although I would wait with individual voice or instrument lessons until at least 4). Good luck and enjoy her talent!
http://www.suzukiorff.org