The Language of Music

What you need:

• large plastic containers
• small plastic containers filled with sand, beans, or buttons
• rhythm instruments such as bells, maracas, and rhythm sticks

What to do:

1. With your child, explore rhythm instruments to learn about the different sounds they can make. Ask her to use the instruments to make quiet sounds, then loud ones.
2. Take turns creating different rhythms with your child. Encourage her to copy a beat that you play. Then ask her to create a beat for you to copy. Pretend that you are having a conversation with your instruments.
3. Invite your child to create rhythms on a plastic container that depict different moods (happiness, sadness) or actions (running, dancing, or crying). Respond to it as though you are having a conversation with the drums.

Learning benefits:

• provides practice discerning sounds
• encourages physical activity
• promotes self-expression