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Music is everywhere in the world
Music is everywhere in the world – we hear it in the car, at home at the supermarket, on the street and at cinemas. Music can help build your child's imagination, language and thought processes, and provides an experience that can relax and delight.
Actively engaging in music
Children enjoy listening to music but often get more benefit from it if they can actively engage. Ask to child to tap, clap, march or stamp in time with the rhythm. Extend this activity by introducing pots and spoons to tap out beats – try different surfaces for different sounds. Look for songs that have hand movements such as: “Wheels on the bus ‘’ or Incy Wincy Spider’. For babies, have them face you and gently bounce on your lap, singing to them, with plenty of eye contact and smiles.
Dancing to music
You don’t have to be at a party to dance to music. Let you child choose the songs that they like and dance and sing together. Dancing can be a wonderful opportunity for imaginative play – try acting like different animal in time to the music.
Music games
There are lots of games that work well with music – ideal for entertaining a group of children.
How about a game of statues, where children dance to music but stop and freeze the instant the music is turned off? Start up the music and repeat.
Try musical chairs where children dance in time with music around a circle of chair or cushions, sitting when the music stops. Every time the music starts a chair/cushion is removed. Any child who is late to freeze or without a chair sits out of the game until only one child is left.
Singing to your child
At the end of a busy day a lullaby with gentle actions is a lovely way to drift to sleep and is a beautiful tradition to establish with your child. Let them join in as they’re able.
Singing together
Singing while doing chores or in the car will lighten the load and everyone’s mood. Sing favourite songs that your children know and your own favourites from your childhood – helping to build a sense of family or cultural history.
What learning is occurring:
- Vocabulary, language and communication.
- Memory and imagination.
- Early music appreciation.
- Creativity.
- Develop rhythmic body movements.
Learn more about the learning that happens with music and dance.