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Parents Music Room - Motivate Your Child With Music

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Your Child
  INTRO   PRE-SCHOOL   INFANTS   PRIMARY   SECONDARY
      PRE BIRTH -
18 MONTHS		   18 MONTHS -
3 YEARS		   3 - 5
YEARS		   5 - 7
YEARS		   7 - 11
YEARS		 11 - 14
YEARS		   14 - 16
YEARS		   16 +
 
Finding Their Musical Identity

Do you remember your teens? What sort of music were you into? Were you besotted with a music pin-up? You may have forgotten what it felt like to be a music fan, but your child will probably demonstrate that the passion can run quite deep. At this age your child will be starting to develop their music tastes and appreciation - and they will have a strong idea of what they like and don't like. And it will not always be something feel you can relate to.
 
I could not believe it when one day I went into Joanna's bedroom when she had friends around and the entire room was plastered with pop posters. The thing that shocked me most was the flashback I had to my own youth when Bay City Rollers posters covered every square inch of my room.
Pat Barker, Parent
 Top Tips
  • Use their growing passion for music as a conversation topic with your child. Try to keep up with their favourite bands - but don't go over the top. Remember, your parents being into the same music is not the point.
  • Being a 'fan' is nothing to worry about. Worshipping pop stars is a time-honoured phenomenon - just keep an eye on your child's behaviour and make sure they are not going too far (remind them that camping in someone's front garden is not the way to show how much you care for their music!)
  • Talk about what music you were into as a teenager, and play them the music if they are interested
  • Empathise with their musical taste and don't rubbish it. Music can be very personal at this age - an attack on Will Young is an attack on his fan!
  • Let them save up for CDs or magazines if that is what they want to do with their money
  • Watch Top Of The Pops with them if they want you to - you never know, you might just like what you see!
  
Parents' Music Room Links:
Child Development Chart | Parental Advisory | Teenage Tribes
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Every child is unique and develops at his or her own pace. The information in BBC Parents' Music Room is for information and guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for medical, legal or other professional advice.
YOUR CHILD AGE 11 - 14
Introduction
Finding Their Musical Identity
How to Keep up the Interest
 
  Parents' Music Room Links
Child Development Chart
Parental Advisory
Teenage Tribes
 
bbc.co.uk Links
Music Online
Parenting - You and your teen
 
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