When I was about five years old, my mom put me in piano lessons. I still remember those first lessons colouring cartoon pictures illustrating the different notes and practicing fingering exercises. At the time, there were certainly days that I didn’t want to sit and play piano. But that early introduction to music led to my learning multiple other instruments in later years and having an appreciation for music that’s lasted my entire life.
Now, with two children of my own, I’m a huge believer in the importance of music in a child’s development. In fact, my boys have dozens of children’s music CDs for just that reason. And I’ve seen for myself how that exposure to music helps encourage their creativity and keep them active! Want to get your kids inspired to create their own music? These three tips will help!
Don’t Follow Directions
You read that right! Many parents encourage their little ones in music through structured music lessons. But for many kids, music lessons can be stressful and monotonous. While following directions and reading music is important for any musician, finding your own beat is just as vital. Encourage your daughter to break the rules once in a while by singing or playing a musical instrument however she pleases. This will give her the opportunity to fully express herself and have fun while doing it!
Try Making Music Together.
Music is a fun way to empower and express yourself. Making music with your little ones allows you to communicate with each other in a way that words cannot. Music will unlock your feelings, creativity and open the lines of communication. Initiate this with a music video sing-along in your living room or having a fun family jam session. You never know, you may find that you’re a better singer than you thought!
Bust a Move
It’s challenging to listen to music without moving to the rhythm! To help get your little ones moving and expressing themselves, try playing a variety of musical styles to inspire them. Dance along with them and encourage them to try new things too. You’ll be surprised where it takes you
Barbie is passionate about encouraging self-expression too, and that theme shines through in the new Barbie Rock ‘n Royals DVD! To celebrate its release, Mattel is offering a very special giveaway you won’t want to miss. One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a prize pack containing two Barbie Rock n’ Royals dolls and two tickets to a Rock ‘n Royals screening in select locations across Canada, a $60 value! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about which of the following locations you’d want to visit to see the movie:
- Saturday, September 12th: Strawberry Hills Location, 12161-72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC
- Saturday, September 19th: Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB
- Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
- Saturday, October 10th: Ottawa Location, 3090 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON
- Saturday, October 24th: Bayers Lake Location, 190 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax, NS
But that’s not all! Right now, Barbie is also hosting an amazing contest to give your little one her own star experience! Simply visit http://www.barbie.com/en-ca/besuper/rock-n-royals to enter to win a trip to Los Angeles, California for the Barbie™ Rock n’ Royals concert featuring a surprise musical guest!
I’m so happy that music was always a part of my life, and I know that it helped me grow and develop my own personality. Share a love of music with your little ones with the new Barbie Rock n’ Royals DVD and get ready for plenty of musical fun filling your house!
ivy pluchinsky says
the Saturday, September 12th: Strawberry Hills Location, 12161-72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC
MaryG. says
Saturday, October 24th: Bayers Lake Location, 190 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax, NS, sound like a great time!
Lynda Cook says
Well the only one near me would be the Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
charityk says
Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
angela m says
Halifax – Bayers Lake – Oct 24, 2015
Jeannie says
Strawberry Hills Location
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Hmm, I’d choose Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB – only 400km away 🙂
LisaM says
Well, I’d like to go see it in Halifax! But Etobicoke is much more realistic 😉
angie andrews says
Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
Dana Miller says
We would see the movie at Surrey, BC.
Lesley E says
I’;d see it in winnipeg!
Jennifer P. says
We would choose to see it Saturday, September 12th at the Strawberry Hills Location.
Silvia D says
Surrey, BC
Barb W says
Strawberry Hills-Surrey
Cheryl says
I would go to Halifax 🙂
Carol Denny says
Saturday, October 10th: Ottawa Location, 3090 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON
Julie F says
I would go to the Etobicoke, ON location
lori b says
surrey location for me
Ira says
The closest to us would be Ottawa.
Louise Gilbert says
I think the closest would be Prince George BC
Dianne says
I would like to see the new Barbie movie with one of my granddaughters at the Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB locations.
Karin Dollery says
My granddaughter and I would see it in Etobicoke, which is only about a 45-50 minute drive as long as traffic is good.
Holly OGorman says
I would pick the Ottawa location.
Judy Cowan says
The closest one to me would be the Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
maria says
At the surrey location
Carole Dube says
Saturday, September 19th: Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB
Josie says
Strawberry Hills Location, 12161-72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC
Tanis says
The Surrey location for me!
LMJF says
ETOBICOKE…
heidi c. says
We would see it in Halifax.
jenny says
Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
caryn s says
I will see the movie at the cineplex Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W.in Calgary, AB .
DianeG says
Strawberry Hills Location, 12161-72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC
Stephanie LaPlante says
Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
Viv Sluys says
I would choose Strawberry Hills, Surrey!
SweetPanda says
I will see it in Etobicoke, ON
Belinda McNabb says
We would see it in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Melinda says
I would choose the Calgary location.
kathy downey says
I would like to see the new Barbie movie with my grand at the Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB location
Juliee Fitze says
Saturday, October 3rd: Queensway Location, 1025 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON
Amanda Neilson says
Closest to us is Calgary
Suzi says
We can not get anywhere local but I would share with a friend in Ottawa!
Bo Simms says
I would choose the Ottawa Location, 3090 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON on Saturday, October 10th to see the Barbie Rock n Royals show, if I were lucky enough to win. Good luck all.
Melanie B says
we would choose Westhills Location, 165 Stewart Green S.W., Calgary, AB
Mike Gismondi says
surrey – sep 12th
roger simmons says
Strawberry Hill in Surrey
Victoria Ess says
I’d choose the Queensway Location
aarone mawdsley says
Id like to see it in surrey, BC! thanks
Angela Mitchell says
The closest one to me is the Surrey location.
Natalie Engel says
I Always be a Barbie fan I can’t wait to see the Barbie concert