Harvard Growth Program - Early Childhood Multiple Intelligence Training and Development (5-6 years old)

Author: Yuan Aimin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Creating a Learning Environment for Musical Intelligence
Research has found that creating a musical environment for babies is very important for cultivating their musical intelligence. In a musical environment, babies are constantly exposed to music and absorb its elements subconsciously, gradually developing their musical cells. Therefore, parents should strive to create a good musical environment for their babies, making music a daily essential for them and ensuring it is everywhere. Here, based on the characteristics of 5–6-year-old children, we have created a learning environment suitable for this age group to develop their musical potential.
★ Let the baby listen and watch often. Through listening to music, babies can feel and understand the various musical images shaped by the music. Therefore, at home, parents can choose some emotionally engaging children's songs or tunes to guide their babies into the mood of the songs or tunes and help them feel the emotions. Additionally, parents can take their babies to concerts and play beautiful musical toys, which are also ways to immerse them in the atmosphere of musical art. Starting from the environment, expanding their horizons helps cultivate musical talent.
★ Play various types of music for the baby. If a baby is exposed to a wide range of music, they are more likely to appreciate and feel different styles of music later. Therefore, parents can play more music for their babies, such as the music of "The Beatles," Latvian folk music, and Mozart, etc. These types of music can help develop the baby's musical intelligence.
★ Engage in various musical games with the baby. Through play and living in a rich learning environment, babies will perform at their best. They will naturally accept music and incorporate it into their games. Therefore, parents can often play music for their children and them through singing, dancing, whistling, or humming simple tunes.
★ Take the baby to beautiful environments frequently. As Sukhomlinsky said, "Children think in colors, images, and sounds." A beautiful environment is very important for sparking a baby's interest in music and also greatly influences their healthy and positive musical aesthetic sense and refined musical taste. Therefore, parents should take their babies to more beautiful places, such as nature or the beach, or create beautiful scenes at home, all of which can help the baby connect with music.
★ Purchase a set of high-quality audio equipment for the baby. If possible, buy a set of high-quality audio equipment and select various types of musical works suitable for the baby to listen to. Play music for the baby at appropriate times every day to help them develop the habit of listening to music and use music to regulate their mental state. For example, sometimes play relaxing music like Verdi's "The Four Seasons" or Handel's "Water Music Suite"; at other times, play music that helps focus attention, such as Mozart's "Piano Concerto in C Major."
★ Make music a shared hobby for the whole family. Some parents do not like music themselves but require their children to learn it, which is not very effective. If parents want to cultivate their baby's musical intelligence, they must first have an interest in music themselves. When the whole family enjoys music, the baby's musical intelligence will naturally improve. For example, parents can start by creating a musical atmosphere at home and experience the beauty of music with their babies, gradually enhancing the baby's sensitivity to music.
A suitable musical environment can have a multiplier effect on cultivating a baby's musical intelligence. Growing up in a musical environment from a young age is a key factor in improving their musical intelligence. Therefore, parents should consciously create various learning environments for music for their babies, allowing them to subconsciously absorb the influence of music in these environments, thereby enhancing their musical intelligence.
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