Posted November 3, 2009

What better way to celebrate “Book Lovers Day” on November 7 than to read a book? We all know that reading to our children is an important part of their intellectual and emotional development. But why is that? Parent and Child Magazine addresses the issue with a terrific article by Susan B. Neuman, professor of childhood studies at the University of Michigan. The article can be found here: http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=8056

Reading is fun, stimulates the imagination, provides knowledge of the world and life, including problems and how to solve them. Language development is also strengthened by hearing words being read aloud. Children who read a variety of books on a daily basis also develop a sense of community, an understanding of “what it means to be human,” learning empathy as they are introduced to cultures and people that are different from their own.

Most parents instinctively recognize the value of reading to their child. What you may be surprised to discover is that learning to read can also help your child learn to play the piano or violin or even sing in a choir. The truth is that many of the same skills required to become a successful reader are the same skills a student must draw upon when learning to read music. Skills like tracking from left to right, recognizing that symbols have meaning, and eye-hand coordination are just a few of the common denominators in reading books and reading music.

So don’t just celebrate Book Lovers Day on November 7; celebrate reading and books every day! You’ll be doing something that will benefit your child in many ways for a long time to come.

Talk back! What’s your all-time favorite children’s book?

-by Kindermusik educator Theresa Case. Theresa's Kindermusik program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is in the top 1% of all programs in the world.

• [M]usic is among the first and most important modes of communication experienced by infants.
• As young children grow and develop, music continues as a basic medium not only of communication, but of self-expression as well.
• As preschool children not only listen to and respond to music, but also learn to make music by singing and playing instruments together, they create important contexts for the early learning of vital life skills.
• Guided music experiences also begin to teach young children to make judgments about what constitutes “good” music, thereby developing in them the rudiments of an aesthetic sense.
  
• Music contributes strongly to “school readiness...”