Children naturally love music! Whether it’s soft and soothing or a lively tune, children feel it both physically and emotionally. From birth, parents instinctively use music to calm and soothe children, to express their love and joy, and to engage and interact. Parents can build on these natural instincts by learning how music can impact child development.

Listening to, learning and playing music has beneficial effects for children of all ages.

Since young children are in the sensitive period for learning about sound, it’s important to give them beautiful music experiences that have a purpose. When we share songs, dances, and musical instruments with young children, we give them the experience of actively engaging in “making music.” This activity is what gives them what they need for healthy development, as opposed to passively hearing recorded music that is constantly playing in the background.

There is SO MUCH you can do with music in Montessori education! One activity children love most is creating their very own musical instruments, and we are going to show you how….

TIPS:

Thick cardboard tubes from inside a roll of tinfoil work best as they are the most durable, but wrapping paper tubes would also work pretty well. Use a fairly thick thread to attach the bells to the tube. Take your time to reinforce and attach the bells very securely. Please keep in mind they could potentially come off from time to time, so take care around little ones and always have them use with adult supervision.

TIP:

The little “guitar” works best when laying flat on a surface and plucking upward.

TIP:

Works best when you place one toothpick on top of the paper and one toothpick under the paper.

TIPS:

Try experimenting with mallets of different materials to explore different sounds (wood chopsticks, metal teaspoons, hard plastic straws or sticks). We found that the thinner the glass you use, the better this will work.

via Cakies

via Made Everyday

Song & Video by Not Twins

RESOURCES & PHOTOS:

Minieco

Hellobee

Housing a Forest

Mama.Papa.Bubba

Magical Movement Company

At Eden Prairie Montessori Learning Center, we’ve been carefully guiding children for over 20 years.  To learn more about our child care center in Eden Prairie and programs, contact us at (952) 944-8466. We look forward to meeting you!

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