In my travels around the world, parents will often bring their children to my Zero Frequency and Ho’oponopono workshops. Parents want their children to be aware and conscious and understand their place in the universe. These parents watch as their children’s eyes light up when I speak about things of their inner world, not realizing that I am simply reminding them who they are and where they came from.
Sometimes in the workshop, adults will ask some version of the same question: “Mabel, how can I help my kids turn this light on for themselves so they may better understand their worth and place in the world? How can I connect with them more?
And, of course, there are many profound and philosophical answers I could share, which they often expect. But I just smile and say, “Just be happy. When you are happy, you are in your unique rhythm, which is how you can show them how to be happy and in their unique rhythm, too. You show them that they can be themselves and play to the beat of their own music.” Sometimes they will look at me sideways, so I often have to reassure them: “It’s easier than you think.”
Almost always, they will soon smile because they remember too. And because the thought of rhythm and music makes you smile deep in your heart, and that is where your smile can do the most good.
I don’t know about you, but I love everything about music.
I love the way music makes you tap your toes, sway, move, hum, sing, feel, remember, hope, and believe. I love it so much that I decided to host a Conscious Parenting Through Music Workshop with award-winning composer and author Barry Goldstein. In fact, I believe music is one of the most powerful tools we can share with our children. And, in doing so, it’s also a gift we give to ourselves.
And, of course, any scientist or psychologist can fill a page with all the mind/body benefits music will do for your child. For starters, music ignites all areas of child development and the intellectual and emotional skills they need for school readiness (and life readiness, too). It helps their body and mind work together, helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words, and even hones math skills, and helps with coordination.
And for those children who play an instrument, it can lead to a sense of achievement as well as self-discipline, increased confidence, and persistence in overcoming frustrations when learning is difficult. In fact, research shows how early music training (before the age of seven) produces actual physical changes in brain structure and function.
Ultimately, the true power of music goes beyond the body and into the heart of who we are as communities, families, and Souls. Since the beginning of time, music has always had the power to build family traditions and bring families closer together through a mindful sharing of a song.
A family that sings together, or listens to music together, or, even better, bangs pots and pans together, will bring stronger connection into their house, along with more joy and love, which is precisely what you hope your child will take out and share with the world.
We need music in our world, and parents are the caretakers of that mission.
As parents, we can use music to both calm and uplift, to be silly or reflective, to share sadness or spread joy. By its very nature, music encourages us to move and shake things up — to stir the pot in our Soul. In fact, I’ve seen deaf and hard-of-hearing children move their bodies to the vibration of the music on the floor or sway their bodies to the movement of others in the room.
Music is magic. And our children are born into this world with this magic in their hearts — a song that flows from pure love and is expressed through light and sound, play, laughter, and joy. They are born with their unique rhythm. Our job as parents and teachers is to nurture this song so that it remains in the child’s heart forever while also being shared with the world so that it may spread peace and love to all.
I hope you are ready to bring a little more music into your family’s life.
Let’s make music together!
