Besides adding a little fun to everything, music has a lot of positive effects on children. According to PBS, making music helps develop motor skills, enhances language development, and gives the brain a work out! There are many ways to make music, through instruments, voices, computers, and our bodies. Music often makes us want to get up and dance, which has its own perks like helping cultivate imagination and self-expression. If you're struggling to think of activities, we've got tips to bring music into your week:
Here is a list of 8 great music activities to do at home, varying from the high energy “freeze dance” to the lower energy activity of drawing what you hear in a song.
Make your own maracas with toilet paper rolls, duct tape, and rice and decorate them however you want. Try not to get tired of hearing your kids shake them all day long!
Need song and dance inspiration? YouTube is an easy and accessible resource! Here’s a video from a teacher and one from The Learning Station to get you up and moving.
It can be hard to find playlists with songs that kids will enjoy but Talking is Teaching has you covered! They have playlists on Spotify for ages 0-5 sorted by occasion.
Need book recommendations? Drake Community Library has got you covered with a Music Making booklist!
Amazing Me! Sing! by Carol Thompson
Cool Latin Music: Create & Appreciate What Makes Music by Mary Lindeen
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle
Let's Make Music by Heather Lester
M Is for Melody: A Music Alphabet by Kathy-Jo Wargin
For more titles check out our online catalog at: drakelibrary.org