Classic Cars

July 16th, 2008

Kids are never too young to be introduced to the classics … music, art and literature, that is. It’s remarkably easy to provide small children with exposure to these areas, even if you’re not very familiar with them yourself. You’ll not only both enjoy the experience but will know that you’re contributing to a well-rounded education for your child.

Ever heard of Baby Einstein? If you’re a new or recent parent, odds are that you have received at least one of these award-winning videos as a gift. This original classical music series for babies and toddlers has spawned several imitations over the past several years, which only serves to broaden the options for parents.

Here are 3 easy ways to expose your child to classical music:

• Use it as a lullaby to soothe a baby to sleep
• Turn your car radio to a classical music station
• Play one of the many classical-inspired children’s videos

Art is another area that can be naturally incorporated into a young child’s everyday activities. Allowing kids to express themselves creatively is proven to be beneficial in many ways. Show them pictures of classic artworks and point out one or two interesting facts about the painter or his work. No pressure to memorize the names, dates or artists, just some fun additional info as they’re creating their own little masterpieces.

Here are 3 easy ways to expose your child to classical art:

• Visit an art museum near where you live.
• Get interactive! Play and learn about art online.
• Visit the library with your child and look through an art book.

There are a ton of terrific books out there for kids, and more are being written every day. Just try to inject a few of the classics into your child’s reading times. Interestingly many of the classic stories that we consider children’s literature today were originally written for adults. You’ll probably enjoy the nostalgia that comes with revisiting some of your childhood favorites as well.

Here are 3 easy ways to expose your child to classic literature:

• Choose books from the classic reading list provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities
• Visit your local library for live Story Time
• Start an Amazon Wish List of classic books that friends and family can refer to when buying birthday and Christmas gifts

Challenge yourself to find small, simple ways to introduce your child to classic art, music and literature, and you’ll both be the richer for it.