How to Include Music in your Day-to-Day with Littles

Nov 19

Music really is a universal language.

As young babies and toddlers show us, one doesn’t even need to know how to speak in order to fully appreciate and feel the emotions and rhythms of a song.

We experience music with all our senses, and this can be best observed in children. I’ll never forget seeing the expressions on the faces of the littles in my music classes, yet to form distinguishable words or take their first steps, react when we create music together. Their faces light up, their bodies move inexplicably to the rhythm. It’s almost like it’s inherent in their beings, like music has always been there. They experience it unfettered and without inhibition!

There are so many amazing benefits of music in young children:

Brain development
Gross motor skills
Self expression
Emotional regulation
Speech development
Memory Building

“You don’t have to be a musician or even be able to carry a tune to incorporate music into your everyday life at home with your littles.”

— Lisa Nail

Here are 6 musical themes I like to focus on when building a musical experience for children:

movement

Pull out your old scarves and ribbons, use these in free play when dancing along to songs, be playful, throw them in the air, play peek a boo! Follow your child’s lead!

Rhythm

Bring out the sticks, utensils, your hands, your feet! Use them to tap, stomp and clap yourself silly. Simply tapping two sticks together to the rhythm of a favourite song encourages hand eye coordination, listening skills and a lot of brain power!

actions

Visit those childhood favourites! The Itsy bitsy spider is still around for a reason, a great action song to revisit again and again. Even the youngest children will surprise you with their memory building skills.

Repetition

Which brings me to repetition. Ever laugh at your child’s knock knock joke once only to be told it 1047 more times? Kiddos learn best through repetition. Don’t be afraid to revisit family favourite songs again and again!

tempo

Try playing around with fast and slow: shaking a maraca fast, dancing in slow motion. Or match your movement to a song with varied tempo, having your child use their listening skills to pick up where the pace changes for themselves is even better!

Instrument play

Drums, guitars and your voice (yes your voice is an instrument too)! Live music is very exciting, no need to make it too complicated. Hum a favourite tune, see if your child can guess what it is. Or scatter some musical instruments on a blanket and let your kiddos explore at their pace with lively music playing in the background. Always aim for instruments closest to the real thing and forgo the distracting plastic toys if you are able (with supervision).

Next time you are at home with your littles, try playing one of your favourite childhood songs for them and share that memory with your own children. All your kiddos need is an invitation to spark their interest.

Now watch in wonder as your natural mini musicians shine!

~ Lisa Nail