We've established that music is an essential component of any well-rounded childhood education. But you don't have to drop thousands of dollars on lessons to bring music into your child's life. In fact, you don't have to spend a cent, particularly when it comes to working with preschoolers.
Here are a few games that teach important concepts like turn-taking, leadership, and keeping a steady beat. A few inexpensive percussion instruments are all you need. If you'd like some ideas on making your own instruments at home, check out RhythmWeb.
Leader of the Band
This one can be played with any instrument the child prefers. The only requirement is that they're able to make a racket.
The parent sings while playing her own instrument, "(CHILD'S NAME) is the leader of the band / (CHILD'S NAME) tells us when to start and stop!" The tune doesn't matter; just make one up.
Then the child must shout, "Start!" And you both/all make a racket until the child shouts, "Stop!" And you repeat this process several times.
Then it's mom's turn to be leader of the band: "Mom is the leader of the band. Mom tells us when to start and stop." And you repeat the process of shouting, "Start!" while everyone plays as loudly as they can and then "Stop!"
Once your child has mastered the turn-taking, try variations where the Leader commands, "Soft" or "Loud" playing, "Fast" and "Slow."
Ha-Ha This A-Way
This one encourages leadership and imagination. For the tune to "Ha-Ha-This-Away," click here. A scarf or a streamer is useful on this one.
Sing: "Ha-ha-this-a-away
Ha-ha That-a-way
Ha-ha This away
Just like this..."
And as you say "this a-way," shake the scarf on one side of your head, and on "That-a-way," shake it on the other side of your head, back and forth.
Sing: "See how I'm
Turning, Turning, Turning (OR ANY OTHER BODY MOVEMENT)
See how I'm turning
Just like this..."
"See how I'm
Hopping, hopping, hopping (OR OTHER BODY MOVEMENT)
See how I'm hopping
Just like that ..."
The child suggests new movements each time such as TOSSING (the scarves into the air), TWIRLING (the scarves around), STOMPING, you name it.
Next: More music games ...
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Comments
This brought me back to when my youngest attended "babies in the library" and there was reading and songs intermingled throughout the program. Your suggestions are spot on! And for those who can't carry a tune (like me) just remember that your baby/child thinks you are perfect! :0)
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