is your kid in band? | ADHD Information
At my son's school, fourth grade is when the option to start band is introduced. They get to select an instrument, attend band class, and receive music instruction. 95% of the class joins in, they are all gung-ho at this point. My son chose the saxophone. I was not going to permit him to join, for a number of reasons: he already has a ton of stuff going on (chess club, soccer, bowling, flag football, tutoring on weekends and homework) we cannot afford it, and my concern about his adhd and dyslexia working against him. My husband and my mother both felt it would be a wonderful opportunity for my 10 year old to learn how to play, participate in the social setting of a band, and help his concentration. 10 days in, he continues to be enthusiastic, willingly practices daily, and enjoys the whole experience.
Any other parents whose children have joined the school band? Which instrument and at what age? How did it go? His IEP has him being mentored by an 8th grade boy, who coincindentally also plays the sax--that part has been great.
My daughter (12) is currently taking drum lessons. While she enjoys it, she doesn't practice much. I have a good friend with 3 ADHD sons (1 in high school and 2 in college). All are very successful musicians and have played for many many years. Her middle son is majoring in music. We don't do band, but I loved reading your post. I am so impressed that your son even has a mentor as part of his IEP. That is awesome!!There are so many adhd/dyslexic actors and actresses out there. I am sure some of the rock bands, orchestra's have them as well.
Who knows what lies ahead for your son's future, I think it is great!
My daughter also played the sax in 4th grade band. I let her do it, even though it was kind of an overload because she was already taking piano and was in a children's chorus, because she begged and begged. She didn't practice a whole lot but was able to keep up just fine because she is good at music. She decided not to continue with the sax after 4th grade, but I think it was a good experience for her.
I agree with staciabeth that studying music is good for brain development. And if your child enjoys it then I would definitely encourage it!
My daughter is in 8th grade now and still takes piano and takes voice/choir at school, which is her favorite. She loves music and I think singing comes most naturally for her since it requires less mental focus than an instrument. I have her keep up the piano because I think that, as a singer, it's good to be able to play at least one instrument. I insist that she practices a little, nothing to heavy, just to keep moving forward. She played guitar for a year too, but singing is definitely her "thing," (along with drama and dance), and she is fortunate to attend a performing arts school where she can be involved in all these things during the school day.
My 7 yr old son just started a private special education school 3 weeks ago. They are geared toward teaching children with learning disablilties. They offered to teach recorder lessons. We purchased one last week and he can't put it down. This is a kid that doesn't wake up on his own for school but in the last few days he's been up earlier than me and that's the first thing he goes to.
I'm all for it. I'll help him try to discover his "nich" in life. I told him that if he masters the recorder we can move up to something else.
My older son (non-ADHD) takes sax-started in 4th grade. I believe that I have read that music lessons can help a kid organize his mind. It can be helpful with math as well. I have every intention of allowing my ADHD son to take an instrument next year. From another perspective, nobody wants to be the one kid who's not taking band or orchestra. Last year (4th grade) only 5 kids didn't take band or orchestra.
I hope that your son enjoys the sax as much as mine does ;)
My ADHD daughter plays violin in orchestra. She has played for 3 years now (she is in 6th grade this year) and thoughI was doubtful in the begining, she really loves it. She plays well - the hardest part for us is remember to bring the violin to school and her remembering to go to practice during the school day
I think it is a wonderful experience for her - she enjoys performing in the concerts and has met some nice kids in the process.
My child also is in the 4th grade and will be starting an instrument next week. He picked trumpet. I'm glad he's enthusiastic about playing b/c band will be a great way to socialize w/ other kids. He has some friends, but he doesn't do many playdates outside school. Organized activities are a great way to keep him connected to other children. His baseball team also has been fabulous for this. While he doesn't socialize w/ any of the kids outside of baseball, he definitely is connected to all of them. For years, they've been practicing once a week and have a weekly game. That's a lot of time together!
I wouldn't worry how your son will do. The point of elementary school band isn't pressure to become an amazing musician. Instead, it's to get exposure to something new and have fun!
< =text/>_popupControl(); My son is in percussion in middle school. He just entered sixth grade. He loves playing the drums! His teacher wants him to try out for the state middle school honors band and take a solo in the annual competition. He has a real ear for rhythm. Right now he's also learning chimes and is the timpani player for the band.
He was always musical in a little kid way (singing pretty much in tune, remembering complex melodies, able to recognize particular instruments by their sounds) so I was happy to let him join band. As a former French horn player, I wanted him to choose a "real" instrument, but it's obvious now that he had the right idea. He took first place in the instrumental section of his elementary school's talent contest last year. He isn't into competitive athletics, so this really gives him a chance to shine and boost his self-esteem. It's also social currency, since there isn't much to do in our small town and this lets him be involved.