Studies show that kids who are exposed to music from an early age do better in school. Unfortunately, most U.S. schools have cut back or even eliminated their arts & music programs due to shrinking budgets. With back-to-school season here, KIDZ BOP, the #1  music brand in the US for kids ages 5-12, has developed their Top 6 Music Tips—for fun, inexpensive ways parents can introduce their kids to music at home—and maybe even get them away from the TV and up and moving in the process!

Sing Along!  Sing to AND with your child from an early age.  Whether it’s “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” or a hit song by your favorite top 40 artist—kids love to sing along and share their favorite music with you!  You don’t have to be a great singer – just get into the moment and create happy, shared memories.

Sing to Learn!  Music is a powerful teaching tool.  Kids can learn the alphabet, numbers, vocabulary and rhyming—keys to building early literacy skills—through singing or listening to music.  After you’ve shared a song together, talk to your child about the words. What do you think this song is about?…What does that word mean?…What words do you hear that rhyme?…How do you think the singer is feeling? Why?

Turn Off and Tune In! Turn off the TV and turn on the radio or iPod.  Cultivate your child’s musical taste by exposing him or her to all different genres of music, including pop, rock, hip hop, classical and country. Music is a kid-friendly vehicle for introducing tolerance for other cultures, styles, and tastes.

Play Along!  Numerous household items can be turned into musical instruments to help develop your child’s inner rock star. Make drums out of pots & pans and empty boxes, musical shakers and maracas out of coffee cans or water bottles filled with dried beans (make sure they are securely closed) and horns out of paper towel tubes…the possibilities are only limited by your imagination!  Educational experts consider imaginary play to be a fun and valuable tool for developing your child’s reasoning and comprehension skills.

FREE Musical Instruments!  Musical instruments are expensive.  When your child shows interest in picking up the clarinet or violin, don’t despair!  Check out websites like Craigslist or local swap and barter clubs to find cheap second hand (or better yet, FREE) instruments.

Just Dance!   Music is good for the body and soul. The CDC reports that almost 1 in 3 kids (ages 2-19) in the US are overweight or obese.  Dance is not only great exercise, it helps teach rhythm and coordination.  So channel your inner “Dancing Queen” and “Twist and Shout” with your kids.

Visit KidzBop.com to make music and videos with your kids!