Music at Home

Music on the Drums Singing, rhymes, musical games and playing instruments are all great ways for parents and carers to communicate with babies, toddlers and young children.

Musical activities make communication fun and enjoyable, and there is growing evidence that they assist with early language development and emotional wellbeing.

Music encourages co-operation with others and builds up individual confidence. Music can play an important role in teaching us about the world in which we live through songs, music and stories from other cultures.

Finger rhymes, movement to music and action songs give plenty of opportunity for practicing and improving motor-skills and co-ordination.

Through music, art and stories, children show an increased ability to use their imagination, to listen and to observe. It doesn’t require musical talent or skills; anyone can use music to communicate with young children.

Try these musical activities and ideas when at home with your baby, toddler or young child:

Create a music basket/box and fill it with different sound makers. You don’t have to buy expensive instruments. Anything that rattles, bangs or shakes is good. Small babies will enjoy high pitched sounds, such as the clinking of cutlery, bells or chimes. Sitting-up babies can make their own choices from the basket.
Toddlers will enjoy making their own instruments: Fill plastic bottles with sand, beans, rice, water, buttons for shakers or use pots and wooden spoons for drums. Your child will be stimulated by the interesting and varied sounds.
Play musical games. Small babies will enjoy being gently bounced, rocked or patted in time to music. Toddlers will enjoy games such as musical statues or musical chairs. They will also enjoy dancing to the beat of the music.
Have regular song and rhyme sessions. Sing familiar songs and rhymes, include the children’s names and add actions. Give babies time to coo or babble, and encourage toddlers to join in.
Use music to relax. Try different styles of music to suit the mood – lively music at the start of play time or relaxing tunes at the end of the day.
Turn off the TV and radio, sit your baby on your lap facing you and sing one of your favourite songs. It doesn’t matter what song you sing; if you enjoy it, so will your baby. It could be something from the charts or a traditional nursery song. Don’t worry if you don’t think you sound great; your baby will love the sound of your voice.
Include your child’s name in the song. Vary the tone of your voice. Give your baby time to respond – he/she will learn about turn taking in conversation.
Sing the same songs over and over. Your baby will not get bored hearing them. Try to use rhyming words, and emphasise the rhymes. He/she will begin to recognize words and to join in with familiar sequences.
Add movement to your words. Move with your baby to the beat and clap your hands or your baby’s hands in time. Dance to the music – you can use a sling to dance together when he/she is very young.
Create sound effects. Use your hands to clap, your fingers to click and your mouth to make playful sounds and whistles.
Singing, rhymes, musical games aren’t jut for the comfort of your own home. Sing on the way to the park, while sitting in a traffic jam etc and include things you see around you. E.g. If you are stuck behind a bus in traffic – sing ‘The Wheels on the bus’. Before bedtime look out at the sky and sing ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’. This will bring meaning to the songs/rhymes as your child hears them again and again.
Enjoy yourself!! Have fun together exploring music and movement – this will help you and your child get to know each other and enjoy communicating.