It's important to myself and my fellow toddler teachers to give our kiddos a variety of experiences to learn and expand their minds! One of my favorite ways to do this is through music! Whether it be asking them which CD we should listen to (they most often have strong opinions about this) or simply turning on some 99.5 (classical music station) and listening together ("Hey, what do you hear? I hear a trumpet and a piano!"), music is a wonderful tool that has amazing power to cross language barriers and reach all age groups!
We have expanded our music experience to a once a week 'class' where we all sit down and talk music together. It usually begins with a gathering song to welcome each friend lead by our trusty djembe:
Each child gets a chance to try out the drum when we are done with the welcome and I make sure to point out the elements of their 'song'- wow, she is using two hands and is drumming very loud. He chose to just use his fingertips and it sounds quiet!
We talk about rhythm, volume and movement...how it sounds the same and how it is different.
We also have a backpack of different instruments (special only for music class) and a bag of scarves that we alternate each week....we mix it up based on the kids interests and energy level at the time! Sometimes we need a little more movement (scarves and dancing) and sometimes we are able to explore the instruments and talk about their characteristics:
My favorite part comes with our instrument flash cards:
A former staff member (thanks Chinh) put a CD together of samples (15 seconds or so) of a variety of instruments. We turn on the CD, listen and ask,"What do you hear?"
The new kids usually do not have an answer, but the toddlers who have been a part of music class for awhile can quickly identify the instrument and how you play it (fingers wiggle for the piano, hands crash for a cymbal,etc..). Coupled together with our picture cards, the kids have become little experts in the category of 'Instrument Identification'!
It is amazing to watch their capacity for learning and their growing appreciation for all things music!
We finish off our time together with a little singing time....lead by my stellar guitar skillz (ok, not that great. But 2 year olds think I am AMAZING and that's all that really matters, right?).
If you have some little toddler people in your life, I encourage you to start up a little music class of your own right at home! Don't fret about your own musical skill (or lack thereof). Just talk about what you hear, explore some instruments together and have fun! Learn to hear the music that is all around you....it's beautiful!
