Why is practice so important for learning a musical instrument? What benefits are there to practising? How can I, as a parent, support my child learning to play a musical instrument? What if I can’t play myself, can I still help with musical instrument practice?
Should you listen to nursery rhymes with your little children? And why are they good for your child to listen to or sing? These questions are explored and suggestions made for some nursery rhymes to choose in this blog post.
Playing music games is a great way to pass some time at home, and with the educational benefits of call and response rhythm games. A fun way to teach your child turn taking.
I currently have both children at home given the situation in the UK at the moment. My eldest is set work from school which occupies him (and me with cajoling him to get back to it and helping him understand what he is supposed to be doing), but not the whole day. So we are... Continue Reading →
This Music Book Review is a Thomas the Tank Engine themed re-writing of the classic Christmas song The 12 Days of Christmas.
A quick look at the Ukeleles I got for my 2 children to play, and looking at the difference between one I got as a proper instrument, and one that is more of a toy.
What are sensory scarves and why should you get some to use in musical play?
A post shining a spotlight on a festive favourite instrument- sleigh bells. Make music with your children to get you into a festive mood with sleigh bells.
Introducing a new series of blog posts: children’s (my children’s) responses to music. Imaginative responses to music
My Music Book Review for today is the sound book Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan and illustrated by James Williamson. It is an exploration of both the instruments that play in a Symphony Orchestra, and also the 5th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven. You almost certainly have heard this symphony before as it... Continue Reading →
Mini tambourines are a good instrument choice for smaller children. They are easier for small children to hold onto, and therefore play independently; and for very small children who mouth objects, enclosed mini tambourines are available, which are much safer for them to use on their own. What Is a Tambourine? Tambourine means little drum,... Continue Reading →
How to learn music with wooden sticks. Developing a sense of musical pulse, motor skills and turn taking with wooden sticks.
A review of the book We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and its musical qualities.
A children’s music playlist-songs about animals.
An update to our learn to play ukulele challenge.
Babies love the sound of their parents’ voices more than any one else’s voice. Singing babies to sleep is such a lovely way to end the day. Here are some songs I sang to my children to try to get them to sleep.
Learn how to make your own homemade pair of castanets from items you already have at home.
A spotlight on the glockenspiel. A first musical instrument for children in the tuned percussion family.
This week’s ukulele challenge update. Discussing my 6 year old son’s progress learning to play ukulele.
Spotlight on tambourine, a great first percussion instrument. What is a tambourine and how to play it
When I first had my son, my eldest, was home from the hospital,everyone had been to visit and we found ourselves alone for the first time, I thought I would sing to him. I was a musician and had spent a lot of time at school and Uni singing so I must know what to... Continue Reading →
Today’s Music Book Review is Listen and Learn Musical Instruments from Usborne Books. We do have quite a lot of Usborne books at home. They are quite fantastic for young children - and that is my experience so far as my eldest is 6 years old as I write this. My recommendations may change as... Continue Reading →
A review of Usborne’s Baby’s Bedtime Book of Music. This week’s review of a book about music for children.
A playlist of songs to help children burn off some energy. Great songs for children to dance to at home.
A review of a Relaxed Concert from the Birmingham based children’s music company B’Opera
A review of the book “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music.
Music is fantastic for learning. As a student I would often struggle to remember texts I was supposed to learn, and would absolutely not be able to tell you about any of the stuff I learned today; but song lyrics I heard in my teenage years, even younger, can flood back in an instant as... Continue Reading →
We have done the first week of our ukulele challenge, how have we got on? My son, who is in Year 1, went back to school last week which is why I thought it was a good time to start this challenge- we had to start a new after school routine anyway with needing to... Continue Reading →
For this week’s playlist, we have a selection of very happy songs, or pieces of music. These are all fun, bubbly, joyful works that will have you up and dancing and maybe even singing or humming along to them. If you ever need a pick me up, these would all be ideal to listen to.... Continue Reading →
A playlist of 9 songs for summer.
getkidsintomusic.com 