10 Ways to Keep Music Alive at Home

Jan 12, 2022

As COVID continues, many parents may be struggling with a relatively smaller crisis – keeping their children occupied and active, while also keeping their minds sharp. One incredible way to do this is through music!

Music is a wonderful way to connect with your children, no matter their age! Your baby was introduced to the world of sound and rhythm while they were still in the womb, and by the time they’re born, they’ve already learned to recognize your voice!

In fact, there’s tons of research that supports the idea that children actually continue to develop musical ability up to about the age of 9 to 11. After that, the window for developing certain abilities seems to pass, making early age the ideal time to explore music.

Let’s dive into 10 fun ways for you to introduce music, rhythm, and sound to your children – without ever having to leave the house!

Make Musical Instruments

A great place to start to teach things such as rhythm and musical concepts is by using everyday objects to create your own instruments together.

Try stretching rubber bands of different sizes over a Kleenex box to make something like a guitar or fill an empty container with rice or beans to make a shaker! You don’t even have to get too creative; infants have been using pots and pans as drums for decades! Use your imagination, and you’ll likely come up with all sorts of great DIY instruments.

Sing!

You might not be among the greatest singers in the world, but your kids don’t care! Singing with your kids is one of the best ways to introduce them to music, and it can be done from the moment they’re in your arms.

Singing is a wonderful way to sooth your baby to sleep, while rocking them, either in your arms or in a crib, not only helps to sooth, but introduces the concept of rhythm in a basic and comforting way.

Of course, the singing shouldn’t stop when they’re old enough to join in! Make singing together a daily activity and you’ll always have musical fun.

Teach them to Whistle

Because no child is born with the innate ability to whistle, children tend to find it fascinating – so teaching them to make musical sounds is a great opportunity to help them become more involved in making music. Once you’ve taught them the basic positioning of the lips and given them a chance to practice a bit, they’ll be whistling their favourite tunes in no time!

Need a little advice on just how to teach your kids to whistle? Check out this article for more tips.

Play Musical Games

Make up some games to play! From songs that have movements you can do together as you sing along, to classic musical games like musical chairs, aim to play musical games with your kids on a regular basis.

Keep Music on in the Background

Whether it’s in the car on a family road-trip, or just in the living room while you’re cooking dinner, having music playing as a soundtrack to your life is a wonderful way to help you children form positive memories with music.

Years, or even decades later, memories of even the most basic, simple tasks you’ve done together can be released when they hear a certain song. Few things cultivate a love of music like happy memories!

Let Them Play with Instruments

Depending on their age, you may want to consider having a “music box” in your home, filled with instruments – homemade or otherwise – that your child can enjoy. They don’t have to be expensive instruments, even things like egg shakers and recorders, as well as any other improvised instruments make a great start.

If you know you’re going to want some peace and quite from you little one’s practicing, it’s a good idea to make the “music box” somewhat portable, so it can be put away and taken out with ease.

And of course, as your children start to grow and show an interest in a particular instrument, you can consider narrowing the box to this kind of instrument and invest in online lessons!

Musical Colouring

One way to help your children become used to what instruments and music notes look like is by giving them colouring activities that revolve around music. Taking the time to colour in things like guitars and trumpets will give them an opportunity to really pay attention to the similarities and differences between the sections of the orchestra.

Musical Word Search

If your children are a little older, a great way to get them used to musical terms is with a word search! And if you work with them to find the musical terms, you can also help them understand what they mean as they work!

Nap Time Soundtrack

How many of you put on the TV for background noise while you’re relaxing or taking a nap? Why not play music instead?

Relaxing music will not only help you and your little ones drift off at nap time, it also helps to associate music with feelings of calm and safety.

Children’s TV

With so much of children’s TV shows focused on education, there are tons that will feature music and songs your child can (and will!) become familiar with. In fact, there are so many out there, it’s worth spending some time finding a few that you like too (preferably something that isn’t too obnoxious) so you’ll always have something ready to put on when you need to!

Just because we’re all cooped up inside during these uncertain times doesn’t mean music has to be left on the back burner! Take the time to dive head-first into the world of music with your children, and help them to develop a love that will last their entire lives!

For more ideas to help you keep the music playing, check out Keeping the Music Alive During COVID-19  and 10 Ways to Keep Your Family Musically Active During COVID. And for more homemade instrument ideas, check out 10 DIY Instruments You Can Make At Home!