The joys of noise

Look what this cool lady did at her house! I am so inspired! I don't know if Mr Tall would appreciate me changing the landscape here on a permanent basis but perhaps something I can dismantle after a play session? We are spending much of every day singing and dancing. The choice of music is currently ABBA for dancing intersprsed with Mr3's versions of church songs with hearty clapping and conducting. Oh and big sisters ballet music, he remembers lots of her exercises!
Music has been such an important part of his journey from babyhood. As a little one he tried every surface for it's noise making properties (either banging or rubbing his fingernails along) and would sit in front of the cd player for inordinate periods of time. We have had a light opera phase a jazz phase, a 70's rock phase, even a kids music phase!!!
It has been the subject of lots of research, the role of music in the development of language, motor skills and social behaviour. When you consider that even our temperament is influenced by the tempo of our pulse it seems like rhythm is an integral part of us. Music can express emotions, help us remember things, relax us, (stress us out!), make work easier, and be a pivotal part of social occasions.
Here are some ideas for extending musical play with children:

• Sing! lots, about everything! Use known tunes and change the lyrics. Use your childs name. Make them super silly

• Use singing instead of talking. We've gone for nearly a whole day in opera mode!

• Invest in ear plugs and hand out the wooden spoons. Encourage children to find which pieces of furniture make the best noise. Obviously discourage the use of windows as drums...

• Even pretty small kids pick up the concept of copying rythms either clapping or drumming.

• Musical statues! 

• Please please don't limit listening time to 'kid music' There's a whole world of musical styles out there, quite literally. My favourite radio station to listen to with the kids is this compilation of world music but there's heaps more.

• Use music to reflect a mood. Or create a mood. We have creative time music - Baroque or classical, my favourites are Bach and Mozart, sleepy time music someone gave us this album and it's a real favourite. Small children fall asleep, older children head for cuddly blankets and books to read. Active music is not hard to find, anything with a fast tempo. Can be a good boundary for crazy jumping and running on a wet day.

And here's a whole lot more!