During music class, I recall learning how to play tunes like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on the recorder. It was a very basic instrument that everyone seemed to enjoy. We also learned basic music concepts like tempo, keys, scales, meters and so much more. The teacher made it fun by integrating easy ways to remember things like the phrase “Every good boy deserves fudge” which is a mnemonic to remember the notes on the lines of the treble clef.

In the second half of music class, we were given the opportunity to learn another musical instrument of our choice. Somehow, I ended up selecting the clarinet, which turned out to be a very challenging instrument. To get better, I had to practice every day after school. My brother would beg me to stop. He said things like “it sounds like a screeching car.” Obviously, it took a while to get better at playing the clarinet.

In recent years, I’ve been reading up on the powerful impact music can have on developing brains. So, when our oldest child received a recorder as a present it was like serendipity. Her face lit up with pure glee. I taught her how to make different sounds with the recorder and play simple tunes. She absolutely loved it.

To a small child, little moments are their entire world. So, why not bring a little joy into your child’s life by integrating music time into the weekly routine? If you don’t know where to start, try one of the Library resources listed below.

Have Fun with Musical Instruments

• How Playing Music Affects the Developing Brain – WBUR
• Children’s Brains Develop Faster with Music Training – USC News
• Music is an Important Ingredient for Child Development and Parent-Child Relationships – Child Development Institute
• Playing with Music at Home – NAEYC