The perfect window of opportunity for kids to start music lessons is between the ages of 3 and 10. I’m not sure if the neuroscience research holds up for composing songs during this age too, but there is definitely some anecdotal evidence of it – elementary school students Menea Vladi Kefalov and Ande Celeste Siegel of Reed Elementary School in Ladue recently won first place in the elementary song with words division of the COMP (Creating Original Music Project) contest put on by the University of Missouri-Columbia for their piece titled "War."
You can hear the repeat winners’ performance on "Show Me St. Louis" here.
The COMP contest – which SmartParenting’s Sharon Linde posted about last November – had several local winners among older students as well. They included:
The 22 statewide winners for 2012 performed their works live in Columbia last month and received cash prizes for themselves and their schools. If your musically inclined student didn’t make the final cut this year, no worries – the eighth edition of the annual contest will be accepting entries in the fall.
By Amy De La Hunt, Health Blogger for SmartParenting
Amy De La Hunt is a journalist and editor who lives in the St. Louis metro area and works across the country as a writer, copy editor, project manager and editorial consultant on everything from fiction books to monthly magazines to blog posts. When she's not chauffeuring her teenage sons to activities, Amy is an enthusiastic amateur cook, landscaper, Latin dancer and traveler. Follow Amy on Instagram @amy_in_words
At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!
Bring your babies and toddlers to this free story time at the Missouri History Museum.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Mardi Gras, geology, Black History Month, Groundhog Day and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.
Sensory Friendly Storytime at the APA includes storytime and pet interaction for the littlest learners with accommodations for children who thrive in a calm setting.
Dinoroarus is back for a limited time at the Saint Louis Zoo. This engaging attraction for all ages features 14 groupings of animatronic and stationary dinosaurs - colorful, prehistoric creatures that move realistically, some roaring and spiting or placidly munching on lush vegetation.