Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)

Expose your child to rhythm instruments. Kazoos are a favorite, as they develop oral muscular and breath control. Maracas, small finger drums, tambourines, floor drums, slide whistles, and jingle bells will help your child develop a purposeful sense to the meaning of rhythm, and are associated with cause and effect. Your child will develop a sense of creating a steady beat or creating beat patterns, along with learning while participating in "soft,' "loud," "stop," and "go" sounds. Finger plays and using sign language to highlight song lyrics are important in the development of learning word concepts and labeling of words to song lyrics. Call-and-response songs, repetitive songs, and musical games are also enjoyed. Purposeful movement to music is also apparent. Imitation of sounds and musical contours are important in developing auditory acuity.