Music and Movement
Children’s early involvement in music helps develop math, language and reading abilities.
Bring It Home
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Expose your child to music at home.
- Infants may try to mimic sounds
and toddlers are eager to have their singing voices heard. For these little
children, repeating simple songs is helpful.Toddlers and preschoolers often enjoy finger plays such as the itsy
bitsy spider and wheels on the bus which incorporate body movement into the
music.
- School-age children may enjoy
songs with stories, predictable beats, etc. This is the age when your child may
start showing musical preferences. Encourage your child to explore those
preferences.
-
Music can be changed to suit the
mood, i.e. if your child needs to become calmer, playing calm music (i.e. soft
slow classical) may help your child relax. If your child is feeling blue,
upbeat and happy music can be used as a tool to energize them and raise their
spirits.
-
Allow your child to make “music”
with several different types of objects - allowing them to explore with these
types of materials helps them understand cause and effect (i.e. “if I hit this
bowl with this spoon, it makes a sound. If I hit this box with this spoon, it
makes a different sound!”). An empty coffee
container makes a great drum and lids to pots make symbols.
- For instructions on how to make
home-made musical instruments click
here.
Last updated September 22, 2017
