When my son was younger, his music teacher assigned a very creative project. The kids had to invent a musical instrument using recycled materials, and then perform an original composition for the class.
Needless to say, every scrap of metal in our garage that made a sound when plucked, banged or scraped became part of the “music machine.” Spray-painted a rainbow of colors, it was a wonder to behold as we loaded this life-sized project into our truck to deliver it to school. The music machine became a legend when it was displayed each year as the inspiration for a new crop of budding musicians.
Most of our kids aren’t going to become professional musicians when they grow up, but they’ll enjoy an opportunity to make their own music. Check out the following ideas for introducing the joys of music to your children.
Musical Pots and Pans
Pots and pans were my toddlers’ first instruments. Using wooden spoons for drumsticks, they beat their own rhythms. Put the radio on while you work in the kitchen, and set out a couple of pots, colanders and cooking spoons. Get the kids to march and keep time to the music for some noisy family fun!
This is a fun and easy recycled craft to make. Use a paper towel tube for the neck, a tissue box for the body and rubber bands for the strings. Your child will enjoy strumming his guitar in an imaginary rock band!
What You’ll Need:
- Empty rectangular tissue box
- Empty paper towel tube
- Three sturdy rubber bands
- Tape
- Pointy scissors and adult assistance
- Marker
- Stickers (optional)
to activities.rememberstuff.me
This clever pipe-organ-style flute will fascinate your child as he blows gently over the tops of drinking straws of varying lengths to create distinct sounds.
What You’ll Need:
- 8 plastic drinking straws
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pen or pencil
Save your giftwrap rolls to make amazing replicas of two of the most popular brass instruments in a marching band, the trumpet and the trombone. Make one for everyone in the family and have your own jazz band!
- What You’ll Need for the Tube Trumpet: Empty giftwrap tube (if tube is too wide for mouth, cut top off a water/juice bottle according to instructions)
- File folder
- Tape
- For the Tube Trombone You’ll Need: Two tubes that fit one inside the other with room to slide
- File folder
- Tape
Sing-A-Long with Your Kids
I love to sing with my children. Whether it’s the Alphabet Song or the Country Top-Ten, singing brings families together and reinforces language development. Make up songs that help kids to learn their colors, numbers and shapes. Anything that needs to be learned is easier when it’s set to music.
Ask any anatomy student about how the foot bone’s connected to the ankle bone . . . . Use music to help end a fun activity. "Clean up, clean up, it’s time to put our toys away" always helps make this chore a little easier at our house.
Music Appreciation
Take the kids to concerts and let them develop an appreciation for the sounds of various string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Our neighborhood holds free outdoor events in the nice weather where children can move around, dance and play, while listening to a variety of musical performances.
Music Lessons
Some parents decide to enroll their children in formal music lessons when they are very young. I think that if your child is enjoying the experience, it definitely has merit. In our family, formal music education begins with instruments in elementary school.
If your school district offers the opportunity for children to learn to play a musical instrument, let your child choose one that interests him and give it a try. If he takes to it, you’ll probably be responsible for continuing lessons at your own expense, as well as for renting or buying an instrument.
The article, How to Help Your Child Learn His or Her First Instrument by Anna Boisseau, featured on the New York Family website, may help you to guide your child along this course.
to sites.rememberstuff.meMusic adds an enriching layer to our lives. Enjoy music activities often with your children, and find more ideas on rememberstuff.me.
to articles.rememberstuff.me