Like any form of entertainment, there are a lot of different types of music out there. While much of the world’s best music is completely fine for a child, there are many songs that cover topics that children don’t understand and have language that most parents won’t want them to hear. Of course, though, you can’t stop them from enjoying something like this, as music can be an excellent tool for development as they grow. So, how exactly are you supposed to make this experience safe for them? Let’s find out.
The Right Sources
The source that your child uses to listen to music is very important. Services like YouTube aren’t very good at curating music, and this means that the automatic video chains that it creates can end up sending your child into bad musical territory. This makes it worth avoiding the services that don’t give you full control, pushing your little one to use something else to listen.
While it isn’t the only service that will work, Spotify can be very good for this. Their music is carefully listened to make sure that the right labels are placed on it, with mature tags being used on songs with swear words or touchy subject matter. Alongside this, you can also add your whole family to the same account, giving you access to a centralized set of tools to control your child’s listening experience.
Though occasionally overlooked these days, traditional listening sources, such as CDs and tapes, can also be great for children. By purchasing a CD made by a child-friendly artist, you know that every song will be appropriate, rather than leaving this up to an algorithm. Whether you purchase a CD of the latest Korean pop from a store selling albums for all K-Pop bands and artists or opt for something classical, traditional listening can be a great way to introduce your child to the world of music with no, or little, risk.
Enjoy Music Together
Of course, one of the best ways to avoid the issues that can come with young people and music is simply enjoying this part of life together. You may not have the same music tastes as a teenager, but younger children won’t care about what they listen to as much. Using music that you know and understand is a good way to handle this, making it possible to avoid bad subject matter that can easily pop up in songs that don’t have mature tags. As time goes on, this sort of measure will become less important.
The Right Hardware
Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about the hardware your child uses for their music. No one likes the idea of having to pay for hearing aids & insurance because their child has listened to music too loudly for long periods. Giving a little one access to headphones will be a bad idea, but a small set of speakers should be able to produce enough sound without the risk of damaging your child’s ears. Modern smartphones are great for actual music, but you could also consider something without an internet connection, with iPods providing a good option for worried parents.
Giving your child the gift of music can be a great way to inspire them and push their development in the right direction. Of course, though, you will still have to work hard to make sure that this is done safely, especially when your little one is still very young.
