Happy day from Happy Plays!
In this activity, we’ll need to find two items that can make a sound when one hits the other. For example, a pan or a colander makes a sound when it gets hit with a turner. Feel free to pick other materials like a cup and a pen or a box and a stick. Once you have your pairs ready, a pair for you and another pair for your child, start creating some rhythm and allow some time for your child to follow and amplify the sound you are making. Observe if your child is making the exact same rhythm or is the child creating a different one. Ask questions like: Is this loud? Is this soft? Do you like this sound? Are you having fun? Take note of the responses and encourage any type of response from your child, may it be verbal or non-verbal. Inquire about likes and dislikes. Determine what your child thinks about the music. Take turns in being the musician and the listener.
This activity will help the child become more aware of sounds and will help the child acquire precursory skills to language like joint attention and turn taking. The child’s playmate can also model speech and language skills and introduce new vocabulary words by describing what they are doing. This will give the child multiple opportunities to respond through verbal and non-verbal means, strengthening the bond between the parent/caregiver and the child. As they respectfully take turns as the musician and the listener, they cooperate in fulfilling the same goal of making music. Creativity comes with self-expression and this activity encourages both. Being able to actualize a goal, in this case, make music, results in happiness and develops confidence.
For older children, you might want to try this!
Decide on a song to sing together and assign rhythms for both of you to play with your respective chosen materials. Take a few minutes to rehearse and remember to have a video keepsake of your performance.
