My Happy Keiki: Music and Me

 Music and me are long time friends. Since I was a keiki, music has been the soundtrack to my life. It helps me to relax and let go. It sets my soul at ease. But most importantly, music has taught me how to dance. In fact music and the energy that follows it has been clinically proven to “help with pain management, ward off depression, promote movement, calm and ease muscle tension…lower blood pressure, and boost immunity.” * If that isn’t music to my ears, I don’t know what is!

My keiki really responds to music even at such a young age. He is already starting to move his body whenever he hears a good tune, and let me tell ya, he knows a good tune when he hears one. He is learning how to dance before learning to walk! It is fascinating to me that even when we are babies our bodies naturally and organically respond to music in the form of dance.

I try to expose him to all types of music from pop and classical, to reggae and folk, to tribal and dance cardio. However, the best kind of music, I think, is live music.  Which is why I taught myself to play guitar a few years ago. I picked up this instrument because I had always dreamed of being able to sing and play lullabies for my keiki.

Since I am self-taught, I don’t really play much, but what I do play my family enjoys.

Try this: Turn on some good tunes and boogie down with your keiki. Don’t worry about how you look, just cut a rug, and have fun. It will help you to release stress, get a workout, and bond with your keiki. Or better yet learn how to play an instrument. What have you always wanted to play? Maybe you and your keiki can take lessons together! Anyways, however you choose to incorporate music into your life never underestimate the positive power in can have on you, your keiki, and your world.

*Information provided by Elizabeth Scott M.S. About.com

• For more insight and inspiration on raising a happy keiki go to myhappykeiki.com.