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When was the last time your child listened to classical music? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone! These days, most of our children haven’t heard many orchestras. But we’re here to help you and your family discover classical music for kids that you’ll all love.
This post is sponsored by Classical Minnesota Public Radio.
I hate to admit it… but my children have not listened to nearly enough classical music. And they aren’t the only ones. Classical music is sadly disappearing from our modern lives.
Did you know that in previous generations, most cartoons were set to original orchestral scores? And families would often attend free community performances by local orchestras and choirs. Now, it’s common for music to be cut from school curriculums and most kids have never sat through a performance by an orchestra.
But Classical Minnesota Public Radio is on a mission to get kids listening to classical music again!
They have started an initiative called #Classical15 to introduce kids and young people to classical music. It is a call to action for parents, and everyone who cares for children, to try to add at least 15 minutes of classical music to their day.
Once you realize that classical music is missing from your life and your children’s lives, it’s easy to solve the problem.
The Best Way To Introduce Your Kids To Classical Music
The best way to get your kids listening to classical music is to start early and naturally incorporate it into your daily lives.
When I was growing up, my father often listened to classical music around the house and in the car. I never really thought about it… I just was surrounded by it. He was always telling me about different composers and the styles of music. He had seasons tickets to the symphony and often would take one of us children along with him. And later, in my twenties, before I had children, I used to love going to the symphony with friends.
But I hate to say, I haven’t been to the symphony since I had children and I have rarely, if ever, had classical music playing in our house.
Life gets so busy and I just didn’t think about playing classical music in the background.
Don’t make my mistake!
You can easily fill your home (or car) with classical music for kids through Classical Minnesota Public Radio.
How To Stream Classical Music For Free
Here are 4 easy ways to listen to classical music for kids…
- Start streaming on your mobile phone. You can stream Classical Minnesota Public Radio live on your mobile device.
- Listen on your smart speakers. Just tell your smart speakers to “Play Classical MPR.”
- Use your laptop or desktop. Simply visit and press play.
- Watch and listen to YouTube classicalMPR playlists. I love how they have playlists for different purposes such as increasing your focus and your energy and to help you study.
How To Add Classical Music For Kids Into Your Family Life
You can add music to your household activities during breakfast or after-school routines. Or if your children are still little, you can use peaceful classical music as lullabies.
Like so many habits, it’s best to start as early as possible. If you have classical music playing in your home while your children are very young, they will likely continue the habit as they get older.
But if you’re like me and you let time pass and now you have teenagers, it might be more difficult. I’m going to start subtly having it playing in the background while they are around.
If you start filling your house with music, I bet they will likely ask what you’re listening to and why… you can then share with them about your renewed interest in classical music.
If you have older children, you could encourage them to listen to classical music while they do their homework. As a mother with ADHD myself and a daughter with ADHD, I find this music can particularly help ADHD in girls. Chances are they’ll soon find it soothing and it might even boost their concentration.
Classical music can be great for increasing focus.
Let Your Stress Float Away With The Music
Parenting is so stressful, but if you can get in the habit of playing classical music in your home, it will help you destress while it calms your kids.
I think the reason most of us don’t listen to classical music more often is that we simply don’t think about it. Most of us would agree that listening to classical music is relaxing and good for us, but it isn’t part of our regular routine.
I used to listen to classical music while studying in high school and university, but I had lost the habit long ago.
When I heard about the #Classical15 initiative, it reminded me of what I’m missing. Now I’ve started streaming classical music and I’m feeling more relaxed already.
I’m going to make listening to classical music a regular part of my family’s routine from now on.
Share Your #Classical15 Moments
You can see how other parents are adding classical music to their lives and share how you are adding 15 minutes of classical music to your children’s daily routines using #Classical15 across Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Don’t wait. Start streaming classical music for kids and for yourself right now…
Disclosure: This post is sponsored, so extra thanks for reading and sharing.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at pinterest.com/5minutesformom
Deanna T. says
I absolutely LOVE the Focus playlist. Thanks for the new favourite stream site.
Ruth I says
I am not sure if my niece has ever listened to some classical music. Will try this before her nap time.
Susan says
It’s great for nap time!
Jennifer says
To my surprise, when my son was little, he always loved for me to play classical music while he did his homeschool homework. It amazed me that he loved Bach!
Susan says
That’s awesome! Such a great way for you to all enjoy your homeschool time.
Catalina says
My kid loves music. And to try to introduce him to the classical music. You tips will be very helpful for us!
Melanie Walsh says
We’ve got the Little Einsteins to thank for introducing my daughter to classical music. Love that it’s so easy to stream music for her, now that her interest has been piqued.
Susan says
I was actually going to mention that in my post… My girls did watch a lot of Little Einsteins and I loved that it introduced them to classical music. But I made the mistake of not taking it further once they where too old for the show.
Kristin says
This is really great and so true/ I’m using songs to do spelling words with my youngest kiddo. The music is just helping her overall development and it’s fun!
Susan says
That’s fantastic. Yes, music is so great for their development.
Sherry says
As I young adult I used to listen to classical music all the time. It’s so relaxing. I wish I would have played it around the house when my kids were young.
Susan says
It’s funny how we get into our routines and it’s so easy to forget to add something like classical music into our daily lives. I think for me the biggest issue was that I didn’t actually have speakers in our house. I only listened to music through my headphones.
Amy Desrosiers says
This must be mega relaxing for kiddos! I love classical music when I am working or cleaning!! Very fun concept!
Susan says
Yes, we often forget that kids can benefit from relaxation too.
Myrah Duque says
This is awesome. Will try it with my nephews, maybe this music will calm them down a bit. They are a riot.
Susan says
LOL. Yes, boys can be a riot. Hope it helps.
Celebrate Woman Today says
I LOVE, LOVE the ideas for classical music streaming options. I picked up a couple new options I did not think of.
Susan says
So happy to hear that!
Dawn Nieves says
What a great way to listen to classical music and get kids listening to it!
Brianne Tursi Manz says
I personally like classical music. I primarily listen to it when I’m relaxing, so my kids do hear it sometimes. I love this initiative by Classical Minnesota Public Radio!
Susan says
It’s great when kids see and hear us taking care of ourselves.
Scott says
Both of our girls have an appreciation for classical music since they took up string instruments. They know so much more about the composers than I ever did!
Susan says
That’s great that your kids are playing string instruments. I think kids that play musical instruments are most likely to appreciate classical music.
Stacie says
That is such a great app! Exposing kids to classical music is a great way to broaden their musical horizons.
Susan says
Yes! And starting them young really helps.