Best Way to Introduce Kids to Classical Music

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They say that listening to Mozart makes you smarter, that children who practice piano score higher in math than other children, that exposing babies to classical music help them grow faster (yes! There was a study in Tel Aviv where premature babies were exposed to a half hour of Mozart every day and the result was incredible: they grew more rapidly than those who weren’t exposed to the music.) You obviously want the best for your children so you decide to let their brain enjoy the many benefits of classical music. But what if listening to classical music doesn't come naturally to you, the parent? What if apart from a few well known pieces, you're not familiar with this genre and don't know where to start? I'll show you a great way to introduce kids to classical music that parents will equally love.

When I drive with my kids we listen to their songs over and over and over again. They don't seem to get tired of listening to the same tunes but let me tell you the first thing I do when I'm alone in my car: switch to radio (I enjoy listening to the 60's music on Sirius XM - does this make me an old soul? ). A while ago I came across this amazing 4-CD collection that my entire family became quickly familiar with and which I happily listen to even when my kids aren't in the car with me.

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"Beethoven's Wig" is a series of great hits of classical music mate to fun lyrics. The CDs start with snippets of famous composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Franz List, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Paganini, etc accompanied by lyrics filled with facts or silly stories related to the music.In the last half of the records you'll listen to the same pieces, this time only the instrumental version (no lyrics). Great selection of songs that will stick in your head for weeks.

Kids and parents can connect with the music and appreciate it at different levels. When I first listened to "Drip, Drip, Drip",which adapts Delibes's "Pizzicato from Sylvia", it cracked me up. My kids are too young to understand the hilarious lyrics but it is such a catchy song that it became one of their favorites. It took them a while to want to listen to the second part of the CDs, the original orchestral music, but they are now able to identify some of the songs.

While some pieces are incredibly funny, others are brilliantly packed with details about the composers. They made me curious enough to want to look up more info about them. The fun questions that run throughout the CD's liner notes are also a great educational resource. I was impressed to discover the connections among these famous composers: As a boy, Beethoven took piano lessons from Mozart. After he died, Beethoven's piano was owned by Franz List.

These songs make family car time a lot more fun while exposing kids to a broad range of classical pieces. A win-win situation!

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17 Comments

  2. How cool -- I never knew that you could get CD's like this. Thanks for sharing on #ToddlerFunFriday

  3. Fun. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing this to our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls

  4. This looks like a great way to introduce kids to classical music. When I'm at home, we tend to listen to Classic FM until lunch time and then switch to another radio station in the afternoon #ToddlerFunFriday

    1. That's a great idea! We made it a habit of listening to classical music on weekends mornings.

  5. I've always loved classical since I was a child, not sure how because my parents aren't into one 🙂 I will have to check out these because I'm getting really tired of the same nursery rhymes that have been playing for the longest time !!!

  6. Hi Stef, thank you for sharing the story about these CDs. I am a fan of classical music, but it didn't come naturally as a child. It grew on me because my parents steadily introduced me ever since I was little - although I have to admit, it all depends on personality and preference as well. Now that I am a mum myself, I always take the opportunity to introduce my children to classical pieces. These CDs look interesting and might be great addition.

    1. Veronika, I also started loving classical music because of my parents. They had a huge vinyl disc collection they would listen to especially on weekends. Now I do the same way with my kids (though the vinyl has been replaced with CDs) and hopefully some day it will grow on them too. I can't say I'm a connoisseur but I enjoy listening to this genre, it relaxes me and gets me in a good mood.
      You won't be disappointed by these CDs, I guarantee.

  7. What an awesome way to introduce kids to classical music! Once in awhile I'll turn on a classical music station on Pandora, but I think my kids and I mostly tune it out, because it usually turns off without us noticing. I love the idea behind these cds. If someone were to buy just one, do you recommend starting with the first one or is one of the later ones your favorite?

    I love your site, by the way! You have such interesting articles.

    1. Michelle, I would recommend starting with the first CD. It was my kids' favorite for months. We listened to it so many times I know the words by heart by now but I have to say I never got tired of listening to it. We moved on to the second CD now. I listened to them all, when alone in my car, but my kids take it one by one.

      1. Thanks! I just bought the first CD and my kids and I are listening to it now. It's great! I can totally see us learning all the lyrics. Thank you for the recommendation!

        1. So happy to hear that you and the kids like the CD. We're still listening to this music in the car and have been doing it for 3 months now.

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