"What if my child listens to CCS Activities but doesn 't do much singing or chanting?"
What goes into your child’s musical mind is more important than what comes out. Your child is learning to understand the native language of that little musical mind, whether or not he chooses at this point to “speak” the language. Many children with more than one language in the home choose to speak the dominant language, yet understand everything spoken in another language. Music is like a second language. Musical comprehension is more important than your child’s ability or desire to “speak” the language at this time.
Your child’s musical mind interacts with CCS Activities, whether anything comes out orally or not. Your little one may have been more willing to babble rhythmically or tonally when younger. At this stage, he may be aware that he is not quite on pitch or in rhythm, and therefore hesitate babbling at all. Your child’s musicianship will ultimately be expressed.
Try the unexpected in “Playing Music.” Make a pair of socks or a box of cereal sing or chant. Catching your child off guard, literally, might trigger spontaneous response without inhibitions. You may find that your little one does more singing and chanting when he doesn’t think anybody is listening. You may be able to catch him off guard to witness musical growth. For example, your little musician may become engrossed in Music Reading and Writing Activities and willingly “read music” or “write music,” fully engaging in singing and chanting as he might not with other CCS Activities. Praise his “music reading” or “music writing” without letting him know that he delivered just what you wanted to hear.
