Mr. Bojangles, originally uploaded by tlc4ben.

It might sound like noise, it make might you want to stick your head in a bucket, or hide in a closet, but kids need to make music. It is rhythm and patterns, it is math. It is sound exploration, it is science. It helps them fine tune their listening skills, and that improves literacy. It is creative and expressive, and it stimulates their minds in a way nothing else can.

That said, until this year the only "real" instrument we had in our house was a child's keyboard. We use good ole pots and pans to make music. Kids can experiment with the sound using metal, plastic, wooden spoons. You can also use rubber bands. Just loop them around empty boxes and tins and pluck away. Finally a use for all the Christmas tins now that the cookies are gone. :) You can make shakers with empty water bottles, depending on what you put inside, the sound will change.


Here are a few links of other ideas for making musical instruments with children.

KinderArt

Nancy Stewart

So when Ben got his guitar for Christmas he just stopped opening presents. He sat down and strummed it, made up a song about trains, then sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Hopefully the pots, pans, tins, and bottles will all still be used at our house, but the guitar is a solid hit.