Mercy River: Teaching Children to Seek and Find Power in Music
Teaching Children to Seek and Find Power in Music
By Whitney Permann of Mercy River
As a mom, the “A” word scares me.
You know the one….AGENCY. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could always control our children’s choices? If we could forever choose what they watch, listen to, eat, and wear? (My 9 year old son currently refuses to wear any clothing that does not have “BYU” on it somewhere. Why, Son, why?? Why will you not wear the adorable wardrobe I’ve provided you?) To my dismay, my kids are quite adept at making choices on their own. All I can do is prepare them to make good ones (and then…pray).
Lately, I’ve been teaching my kids to use the “A” word wisely when it comes to music.
Someday my son will have his own mp3 player (shudder) and he will be choosing what music he puts in his head (shudder, shudder!). Until that day, I’ve got to prepare him. But…how?
Consider this.
As parents, we’re pretty good at pointing out the “bad.” But instead of just nagging over and over about the “naughty” music and pointing our fingers and saying “no no no” and “don’t don’t don’t,” what if we did the opposite? Let’s not forget to show them all the GOOD music in the world. Let’s expose them to what IS appropriate, wonderful, and uplifting. Why? First, so they can develop a love and a taste for it. And second, so they can learn to judge between good and bad music for themselves.
To paraphrase the 13th Article of Faith,
“If there is [any music that is] virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy we SEEK after these things [as wise parents who are scared of the ‘A’ word.]”
As you SEEK to expose great music to your children,
they will FIND the power it brings. Here’s what I’ve tried to do in my own family.
Seek: Musicals
Find: The power of family bonding.
As a family, we love musicals. We love to attend them when we can, and my husband and I love to rent old musicals for our kids. Some of their favorites are Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and (most of all) Newsies. Singing the songs in the car and watching or attending “our shows” is fun to do together. Musicals offer a wealth of quality, clean, entertaining music for the whole fam.
Seek: Music Lessons
Find: The power of self-esteem, increased intelligence, creativity, and expression.
Research shows that children who sing or play an instrument do better in school–especially in math and languages. Music instruction also teaches discipline, relieves stress, and helps children learn to appreciate and love music on a personal level. Lots of incredible statistics here: http://www.raisesmartkid.com/all-ages/1-articles/16-the-effect-of-music-on-childrens-intelligence
Seek: SINGING Hymns!
Find: The power of spiritual development.
My children LOVE to reverently sing the hymns during Sacrament meeting. (OK– I bribe them with candy.) However you can, encourage your readers to follow along and sing the hymns, instead of coloring or zoning out. Otherwise, they are missing out on powerful personal opportunities for the spirit to testify to them. Much of my own spiritual development has been facilitated through hymns and primary songs. MAKE THEM SING IN SACRAMENT MEETING! I give you permission to use candy if necessary.
Seek: Educational Music
Find: The power of values.
There are some FANTASTIC musical resources available to teach kids values. My absolute favorite is Brite Music (www.britemusic.com). I love the 3 different “Safety Kid” programs–there’s one about personal safety (staying away from strangers), one about saying no to drugs, and one (my favorite) about pornography. They are done tastefully and fun and the songs are catchy and powerful. (It’s fun to overhear your 7 year old singing “It’s alright for me to walk away from something I don’t want to seeeeeee…” as he unloads the dishwasher.) I love ALL the Brite Music stuff. Find value-promoting music YOUR kids would love and arm them with these messages. (PS, music like this makes a great gift from Grandma, should she need any suggestions!)
Seek: Sing-Songy Songs
Find: The power to memorize.
From music, my kids have memorized the articles of faith, the names and order of the apostles, and a few scriptures. I’ve also made up little ditties to help them memorize our address, phone number, and how to spell their names. Your kids can memorize ANYTHING if it is put to music. And as they get older they can use this skill for tests in school.
Good, beautiful, uplifting music is a powerful weapon in your Mom-Artillery.
It will bring the spirit into your home, calm unruly kids, teach values, foster intelligence/self-esteem/creativity, increase family identity and bonding, testify of Christ, and sharpen memorization skills.
So. look that “A” word sqin the eyes,
roll up your sleeves, throw your head back and have a good maniacal laugh. Because with good music on your side, Mom…you’ve got true POWER.
I liked the album at deseret book
oops I left the comment on the wrong entry, sorry!
The power of good music, and the different ways to incorporate it in our homes….Thanks for this valuable reminder!
We are a music wanna-be family. I know it is important and I like the idea of music being “Mom-artillery”. I’ve never thought of it that way before, but your right. Thank you!
I have always love musicals and so my kids are hooked as well…but to be honest I never really gave it much thought, or exposed them to that on purpose. I love the insight and the reason behind the very “on purpose” introduction to music….I wish I had been more enlightened when my children were little.
Music is a powerful, non-verbal way to communicate. I can’t imagine living without it.
AGENCY IS A Difficult to watch our children learn how to use!! Most of my children are adults now! (still have a “straggler” 10 yr old left at home!–youngest of 8!) But I KNOW what you are saying! “Been there, done that” several times! PRAYER is the key!! (for parents’ sake especially!)
Hang in there and keep praying! You are headed in the right direction!!
Just introduced to your music! Love what I have heard so far!!
I love all the good ideas on how to use music in children’s lives- I have always used music to help my kids memorize!
I liked Mercy River at Deseret Book
I love all the great ideas on how to incorporate music into our kid’s lives.
I LOVE Brite music and have used it with my kids in the past. I appreciated this article with 5 teenagers in my home. I bought your CD when you came to Alaska for TOFW and my kids love it!
I liked Mercy River on FB
I liked Mercy Rivers CD at Deseret Book!
Thanks for offering this contest!
Seven brides for seven brothers is my girls favorite movie too!!! And newsies! We love fun, catchy, good music! I need to watch your music video that was shared a couple days ago..I tried buy my computer has no speakers! (good thing I have 2 computers!!!)
I was raised on Brite music, so I knew it was a must have for my own children! When my mom was looking for ideas for birthday and Christmas gifts, this was on the top of my list, so now, several years later, we have a wonderful collection of Brite Music. It teaches wonderful values and we love it!
Thank you for reminding me of what I need and want to do with my children!
I taught my kiddos how to spell their names by putting it to song, it is so true they learn by song so easily!
Music is a powerful tool to teach children!
Wow…that “A” word! Sometimes I really hate it even though I know that we fought for it in the preexistence! However, I know that if we surround our children with good music, that is what they will return to, even if they stretch their wings for a while. Let’s all provide our children with a good foundation! We use to be in the military and we would teach our children their new address by putting it to music! It really works!!
I liked the album on the Deseret Book site!
I liked you on your Facebook page! I also wanted to say that I really enjoyed your performance at Women’s Conference!! :o)