Time once again for the annual list of musical gifts to give at your Solstice Holiday of choice. Since not much has changed, I refer you to a list of guitar accessories at www.GuitarSlinger.com/accessories.shtml and a selection of rock videos at the GuitarSlinger eStore. In addition remember CD’s, iTunes credits, books about musicians and concert tickets (with earplugs attached).

During the first lesson of the New Year I will ask students what musical gifts they received. I do not want to hear "nothing". "Nothing" is unacceptable. Any little gift will feed your child’s musical interest. Kids need to hear music and read about it and experience it live. Sing holiday songs. Talk about concerts you attended. Make it a living, breathing part of life. And you know what—you’ll have more fun too!

Happy Solstice to all.

In the June ‘06 GuitarSlinger I wrote about the importance of free time in childhood. Apparently I’m not the only one thinking in that direction.

I quote from the announcement: “A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says free and unstructured play is healthy and - in fact - essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient.” The article goes on to say “Whereas play protects children's emotional development, a loss of free time in combination with a hurried lifestyle can be a source of stress, anxiety and may even contribute to depression for many children”. [emphasis mine]

The announcement is online at www.aap.org/pressroom/play-public.htm. The full report is at www.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf.

Creativity is, by its very nature, an unstructured endeavor. Bringing order out of randomness is the essence of creativity. Allowing your child unstructured time may feel risky but creativity always involves risk. My experience is that the reward is well worth it. Life without risk is not possible. If it were, it would simply be boring and pointless.

Allow me to propose a New Year’s resolution to make sure that in 2007 all children have adequate free time to do with as they wish. I believe the world will be a better place for it.