Continuing yesterday’s topic of helping little ones appreciate the performing arts, today we’ll focus on music. And specifically about getting little ones involved in making music.
Find local classes
There are many mommy & me style classes that introduce little ones to music and instruments. Some organizations I know of that may be in your community are Kindermusik (their website has great info on music and little ones), Fundamentals of Music and Movement (developed by Aaron Nigel Smith of Everyone Loves to Dance), Music Together. Do a Google search on mommy & me music class with your location and see what you can find.
Make Music at Home
If you can’t find any local classes (like us!) then make music at home. This is also a great way to continue the fun you had at a local class. If you have left over plastic Easter eggs, try making these egg shakers. Or you can make these paper-mache drums. I’ll be posting more instruments you can make at home!
Great instruments you already have on hand include
- pots and wooden spoons,
- unsharpened pencils for marching sticks,
- or an empty ice cream tub for a drum.
Start a Musical Playgroup
We think making music is more fun with lots of friends. So we host a monthly playgroup focused on music called Music Makers. We do fingerplays and nursery rhymes. Then we march while hitting our marching sticks together. We try out different instruments and rhythms. And we end with a book and snack. It’s so much fun. Even with the little musical ability I have, we are able to learn about music, rhythm and instruments in a fun and energetic setting.
Music Resources
The Ramblings and Adventures of a S.A.H.M. (blog)
101 Rhythm Instrument Activities for Young Children (book)
Band in a Box by Melissa and Doug (instruments)
What is your little one’s favorite music making instrument?
3 Responses to “Developing an Interest in Music”
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C likes shakers. We have so many different kinds! Her music box contains probably 3/4 shakers.
We go to a fantastic local music class, and the teacher wrote a song for each child in the class, then burned a CD for each of them. C gets SO excited when she hears her song!
Thank you so much for linking to me! I love your blog and that Music (and fine arts) are so important to you too
SkylarKD: That CD sounds like such a treasure. I wish I was that talented. I would so love to do that for our friends who come!
Sarah: I love your posts in general, but specifically the music ones because I get such great ideas from them!