Daily milestones in a little child’s life bring great joy to parenting—first smile, first time holding a rattle, turning over, first steps, first words.  Your child’s daily triumphs both amaze and amuse.  Little milestones in music development are equally delightful—first time focused attention, first movements, first attempts at “Music Babble.”

A little child’s intensity in growing and responding to the world is a delight to behold.  It is the work of childhood.  Sometimes it is hard to take something so cute seriously, responding with respect and encouragement, rather than laughing, minimizing, or trying to elicit a “repeat performance” for our own entertainment or that of family and friends.

A little child’s growing musical response is truly precious, and, it is vulnerable.  It is an independent act of self-expression, the awakening of innate talent, the fearless exposure of intimacy with music.  The reactions of well-meaning adults can too easily shut down such beautiful expression by laughing, poking fun, trivializing, or turning an innocent response into a “cute” trick on command. 

Let us become more aware of our own reactions to our little one’s intense efforts to grow.  Let us become advocates among friends and family for our little fledgling’s attempts to find his song.  Let us celebrate each little milestone, encourage our little one with the kind of sincerity that matches his own, and embrace the wonder of the developing child.