TINA Harris has a message for parents – get out your pots, pans and bottles filled with rice and lentils and let your little ones bang away.
Best known as stripy-sock songstress Lah-Lah, of ABC KIDS TV series Lah-Lah’s Adventures, Harris is singing the praises of early childhood music.
She said making noise at home while music was playing could have enormous benefits for pre-schoolers and younger kids, helping with brain development, social skills, physical activity and reading.
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READ NOW“Research has been done recently where they can show that a little one, about three or four, who can tap along in time to music is actually ready to learn to read,” the Sydney-based singer said.
“With a little one who can’t do that, they can usually track where they will have developmental issues with reading and writing – it’s really amazing.
“It’s something that parents have probably heard a little bit about but there should be more out there so mums and dads can see how beneficial music is for their little ones.”
Harris fell into early childhood music education after singing with Opera Australia for many years.
After her daughters were born – now 12 and 14 – she left the company and put her music degrees to good use, re-training and opening a music class.
The class turned into a school and the school turned into four schools.
Now Tina and husband Mark (known as Buzz from the TV show) have a popular ongoing TV series and perform live shows with the Lah-Lah band, including the new tour Having Fun!.
She said she balanced work, family and health (she was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago and is now fully recovered) ‘with meditation’.
“The only thing I do for myself every day is get up 20 minutes before the kids and meditate, just so I can clear my head and have a clear day,” she said.
“It makes a huge difference and I’ve been doing it ever since the cancer.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Having Fun!
When and When: July 22 at Fremantle Town Hall and July 23 at Morley Sport and Recreational Centre
Tickets: www.lah-lah.com
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