Ideas for an infant/toddler music play group (X posted)

[GreenGranolaMama]

Hey Mamas, I was approached by another Mama at our local library play group and asked if I would be interested in helping her put together a music themed play group for babies/ toddlers.

I know I was really interested in joining a Music Together group with DS, but we just don't have the $ for it right now. I've got some small drums, maracas, rain stick, xylophone, a mixture of pots, pans and spoons and I can download different types of music on my computer.

I am thinking the youngest ones there would probably be around 8mo and up. I'm looking for ideas for activities/games/ any ideas you might have to share that would be fun for a mixed age group.

Thank you!

[Violet2]

DD has been going to the local uni music therapy group for kids. It's a lot different than most children's programs, I think.

We did a lot of tonal stuff. Like put a bean bag on their head with one tone (oooo) and then another tone when it falls to the ground (bom). Lots of tonal sounds but no words, very few songs.

And we did dancing with silk scarves. Banged drums.

Real instruments were used whenever possible. It might be a great idea to invite some musicians in to show their instruments and play.

One thing that was cool was there was a greeting and farewell song that acknowledged each child by name. And it used simple hand motions that kids were encouraged to do.

Hello, hello
How are you today?
Hello, hello
It's time to sing and play
(pretend you're blowing a trumpet announcing someone) (Leader does this, group echos)
(Leader sings)Hello, NAME

(Groug repeats) Hello NAME

Lastly, the big rule was that adults were to be quiet and children given room to 'sing'. So any talk or chatter from the adutls was frowned upon and I think it was a good thing. If kids made a sound an adult would echo it back which is rudimentary conversational skills.

So if baby goes, bababa, or ugh or dadada then an adult echos back.

There was also an uh-oh song for whenever anyone said uh-oh.

HTH

V