Music ignites all areas of child development. It helps the body and mind work together, helps children learn the sounds and meaning of words, allows for self expression, helps memory skills, and improves mathematical learning. Interested in understanding how? You may enjoy this recent study by the Brain and Creativity Institute, which found that learning music in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills.

And we can’t forget the amount of joy that music brings! Take a look at these shining faces at Creating Together when we incorporated musical instruments into our circle time on Tuesday, one of our weekly offerings.

If you can’t make it out on Tuesdays, perhaps you’d like to make some instruments from home. Here are some fun musical creations to choose from: http://www.howweelearn.com/spectacular-homemade-musical-instruments/ – and you may take it a step further and incorporate some free online learning tools (eg., A2Z), or resources from organizations like the Children’s Music Network.

We are all so fortunate to be in Toronto. It is incredible what people across the city are doing to ensure the influence of music is felt among the children and youth of our communities, regardless of income. Teachers voluteer their time and talent, community centers and schools offer their spaces, and students come from all over to benefit. Here is a quick list of inspiring work happening in our city, for you to keep in mind as you keep music a strong component of your child’s life:

1. Sistema – A social development program offering free, ensemble-based musical instruction in Toronto
2. Axis – A tuition-free music program that makes music accessible to children and youth living in Toronto Community Housing
3. Toronto Public Library (Parkdale Branch) – “Borrow a musical instrument” program lends musical instruments to children under the age of 18.
4. The Regent Park School of Music – Offers subsidized, quality music education in priority areas across Toronto and at satellite location across the city, including Parkdale.
5. Help We’ve Got Kids – Has put together a fairly extensive listing of music programs across the city.
6. The Toronto Music Garden – A bach-inspired garden by the waterfront, hosting free concerts all summer long!