Connecting With God Through Music & Preschool Childrens Books

By Author: Mark Arens
Total Articles: 27
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"Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite." -Thomas Carlyle

I remember the first time I played the piano for the special music during the church offering. I was about eight-years-old and somehow my parents had talked me into it, despite my introverted personality. I don't recall what song I played but I remember the fear induced adrenaline rushing through my body making my hands shake violently. Somehow I managed to get through the song and stand for the congregational applause. But I didn't make it back to my seat next to my parents without bursting into tears.

You see, my parents recognized the value of kids and music and signed me up for piano lessons when I was just 5-years-old. They saw that I loved the lessons and obviously had a talent for music. What they didn't see was that music was my catharsis; it was my personal way of connecting with God.

I have my own little girl now and her tiny hands prevent her from formal piano lessons yet but I believe in the value of providing ...
... opportunities for her to experience music and express the unique and wonderful personality and beauty God gave her.

My little one gets swept away in music. She cranks the stereo and she floats and spins around the house in her "dancing dress." She sincerely feels the music and displays the most powerful interpretive dances-with no guidance. She feels a connection to the music that I can only relate to as a connection to God. At times, music even makes her cry.

Her childhood freedom in music without apprehension, nerves or expectations reminds me of David dancing in the streets as the ark of the Lord was brought to the City of David:

[David] and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpetsMichal daughter of Saul watched from a windowshe saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD. (2 Samuel 6:15-16)

David had complete freedom worshipping God leaping and dancing, just as we are completely free in Christ. Maybe God gave us music to experience a glimpse of complete freedom in Him.

Kids - books - music; I believe this is one of the most powerful combinations we can create for preschool aged children. Because they are not quite old enough to read or learn a formal instrument, it's the best time to instill in them a sense of understanding and expression without guidelines.

It's a time to give children background knowledge much like pre-reading skills. Elementary children learn to flip through books and look at the pictures prior to reading a story to gain an understanding of the book's content before they actually read the words. Providing musical experiences for kids before they are ready to play an instrument is the same thing.

I will continue to read my precious one preschool childrens books that are reinforced with music, and smile as she leaps and dances before the Lord.

Kids - books - music; try the recipe and see what it does for your child. I'm sure it will open the doors to a new connection with God that will stay with them throughout their life-even when they have children of their own.
Mark Arens, owner of ThumbPeople, Inc. & author of Thumbuddy Books & products wants to share with you simple tools and ideas of how to empower your family to live a great life! visit ThumbPeople>> http://www.preschoolchildrensbooks.com