Home-made musical instruments can be a low-cost way to keep your baby entertained.
Dr Michelle Peter introduces babies to a selection of simple instruments so they can discover the different sounds they make.
She explains how making music with babies can be a very important part of their development.
Michelle:
You don't need to go out and buy any fancy equipment, this is all stuff that you can have at home.
Woah! What's this?!
Mum 1:
Let me grab it, let me grab it!
Michelle:
This is a good idea, Mummy will do this, too. And you get to eat the crisps, Mummy!
The really interesting thing about playing with music and sound is that it gives babies the opportunity to practise making rhythms.
And there has been research to suggest that early experience with music and with making these repetitive rhythms can actually boost skills that are related to other areas of development.
Mum 2:
Just her hand banging on the table?
Michelle:
Yeah, exactly.
And if you can mimic that rhythm and join in, it's that interaction that is key.
The art of back and forth, which is what they need to learn about how conversations work.
Oh, there we go, a bit of a rhythm!
Dad:
Oh, no. That's just hitting your brother!
Why are musical toys good for babies?
There are loads of developmental benefits of playing with musical toys. Playing with instruments is great for building fine and gross motor skills through physical interaction.
It's also great for supporting sensory development, specifically hearing, touch and movement. Sensory play is great to help babies make links between what they see, what they feel and what they hear. And this, ultimately, helps children to make sense of the world.
DIY musical instruments for babies
You don't need to buy instruments for your baby to play with, you can easily create them from stuff lying around your home:
- Why not try a jam jar xylophone for your toddler?
- Use a tissue box to make a guitar for the family to play with.
- Pots and pans make great drums and wooden spoons make great sticks
- Make a simple rice rattle for your baby to shake
Image caption, Simple homemade instruments and sound-making toys are great for focusing your baby's attention and practicing making rhythms.
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