Nurture your child's musical talent by singing and playing with these musical instruments picked by a music teacher
Sing with your child
From birth to the age of seven children are most sensitive to music and musical activities pay off most in terms of cognitive development. This is why it's so important to sing with your child and play with instruments.
The best is to sing simple songs and move on the beat by clapping or tapping or using a musical instrument.
As an early childhood music teacher I'll list my favorite musical instruments for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
We'll discuss:
- The voice
- Maracas
- Egg shakers
- Claves
- Guiro
- Tambourine
- Wrist bells
And as a bonus I will mention scarves and play silk.
#1 The voice
Yes, the human voice, preferably the one they've heard when still in the womb (that's yours, mom!), is the best musical instrument for babies and toddlers. No matter how you judge your singing or musical abilities, you are the greatest rockstar to your child.
Singing and seeing how your child starts to respond and sing along is the best way to stimulate imitation and musical development. Besides that it's a great way to bond and regulate emotions.
If you want to learn more, read this book 'the Lullaby Effect: the science of singing to your child' by Anita Collins.
#2 Maracas
Have one hand hold the maraca and the other hand face palm up. With a fluent large movement, tap the maraca on the palm of the other hand. When you sing with your child, tap the beat.
Don't hold the arm of your child and force the movement on the beat. Rather tap their knee when they're on your lap and encourage them to play the maraca themselves. In that way they learn to keep a steady beat from the inside out and really feel that beat.
#3 Egg shaker
Egg shakers are easy to hold for infants and toddlers. You can use just one hand and shake the egg in the air. You can also, just as described with the maracas, have one hand palm up and then tap the shaker with the other hand.
An alternative is to use two egg shakers, one in each hand and move the hands simultaneously up and down or one up and the other down interchangably.
Remember to use the egg shaker always in combination with singing and tapping the beat to what you're singing together.
#4 Claves
Claves require slightly more coordination, so it might take your toddler some time to be able to do this in the beat while singing.
Hold one stick with one hand and with the other hand, just like the maracas, make a large fluent movement and tap the other stick.
Quality claves give a beautiful sound.
#5 Guiro (frog)
These cute wooden frogs immediately spark curiosity. As a violin teacher this might just be my favorite musical instruments for infants and toddlers as the movement practices the coordination skills for bowing technique on the violin.
The movement is a bit more complex than of the musical instruments above, so don't be surprised that it could take a three year old some practice. Be sure to hold the guiro still in one hand and make large fluent round movements with the other hand holding the stick. The stick should land on the guiro, glide over it's back and then continue in it's circular movement.
#6 Tambourine
I love the combination of a hand drum and tambourine as it makes two different sounds simultaneously: the bells and the drum itself. It can be played with a drum stick or with the hand.
Holding the tambourine in it's place and drumming with the other hand takes some coordination. Toddlers can definitely learn to do this while singing. Infants might have the tambourine on their lap and then drum with one or both hands.
#7 Wrist bells
This musical instrument is even suitable for babies who can't even sit. Wrap them around the wrist or the ankles and amaze your little one. For babies you could perhaps start with soft rattle socks as they're better fitting and less heavy.
Toddlers can dance and walk around with the bells around their wrists and/or ankles making this instrument very suitable for circle games. On the beat you can walk in a circle and walk in and out.
Bonus: scarves or play silks
Technically it's not a musical instrument as it doesn't make sound, but it's great to use when singing: scarves or play silks. While Instagram moms are discovering play silks as the latest open ended toy trend, we music teacher know of the magic of scarves for much longer.
What I like about scarves is that they flow and they give a totally different sensation and movement than the other musical instruments for infants mentioned above. You can use them in so many ways: wave them from side to side on the beat, throw them in the air and let them land on a resting tone, dance with them, move them along musical phrases etc.
To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand.– Zoltan Kodály
Singing with your child is so important for musical development, bonding and the development of language, motor skills, social skills and much more. These beautiful music instruments can enhance this experience and teach your child to keep a steady beat and coordinate movements to music and singing.
As a violinist and a mother it's my greatest joy to share my love of music with my children.
What's your favorite musical instrument for infants and toddlers?
