Singing and making music is a matter of course in many people’s everyday lives, but by no means in all families. Birthdays, Christmas parties or other festivities often offer almost the only opportunities for sporadic musical activities. But what exactly can regular singing and making music together achieve for family life and especially for child development? How much and what kind of musicality do mothers and fathers need in order to convey joy in music to their children? For example, how bad is it to sing wrong notes or not to keep the beat?
Whatever the answers, there are two sides to every phenomenon. Basically, musical activities in families, especially when it comes to smaller children but also to older children, should be aimed primarily at conveying joy . Time, space and a positive affection are practically the only practically relevant framework conditions to be fulfilled. Simple songs, rhythms and movement to music are perfect everyday companions as they hardly need any external resources. They work effectively against boredom, bright moods and they can help to overcome crises and stressful situations. In addition, regular musical activities can initiate or accelerate important development processes.
Families play a central role in children’s musical development . Most families do recognize the importance of music, but often point to a general lack of time and the use of reception media to musically enrich family life. It is possible that the positive potential of regular musical activities is underestimated in the family environment, especially in the first few years of life.
Long term effects of singing and making music in the family
Studies show that those parents who consider themselves more or less musical transfer this self-assessment to their children. This means that it is not the supposed or actual musical skills that determine how to deal with music in the family, but rather one’s own experiences and assessments. Musical development is therefore subject to strong influences both within and between generations.
Family singing and making music have many facets. Studies suggest that learning to play music or the creation of prerequisites for specifically musical educational careers is also in the hands of families. What seems more important, however, is that musical activities within the family can fulfill much more important tasks. For example, they influence relationships, perception and appreciation among family members. In addition, knowledge about songs and music with references to the family biography can in individual cases also have therapeutic benefits.
Music media can have a supportive effect as a resource for singing along or for freely appropriating songs similar to ‘ convert2 ‘ However, personalized sound carriers, especially when operated with inner ear headphones, harbor latent risks to hearing health if these devices emit high sound levels.