Introducing music to your young child gives them a fantastic all-singing all-dancing outlet for their creativity. Playing and performing music helps build your child's confidence and develop their natural rhythm. Making music also improves your child's learning skills, especially with numbers and maths.

Creative mini musician

Your child can make music with the simplest tools - starting with their own voice. Singing favourite songs together, chanting while clapping or marching around the room, and singing Happy Birthday to a favourite teddy all develop vocabulary and coordination. Add wooden spoons, saucepan lids and shakers for your child to enjoy experimenting with.

Build your own band

As your child grows, offering them easy instruments to bash or blow with a friend or sibling is a great way for them to discover how enriching friends and family are. Try drums, keyboard, guitar, zylophone, cymbals or anything you like. Singing, playing and dancing together make for a fun, free and expressive afternoon. You can always suggest a calming lullaby if your ears start aching ...

Spice of life

Listening to music develops listening skills and concentration. These skills both make learning much easier for your child. You don't have to stick to kiddie music favourites: the more variety your child hears the better - classical, Cold Play, Abba or African beats ... whatever you like. Experiment with CDs and radio stations in the car for a family sing-along, and enjoy a lively daytime disco at home together.

This play idea is great for...
	Thinking skills Making music helps your child to listen and think creatively. Studies have shown that playing music early in life helps your child learn later on at school, especially in maths.
	Creativity Making music helps your child to feel free and express themselves. Using simple instruments they can try out their own ideas and enjoy making new sounds.
	Physical development Dancing, clapping and marching help your child to enjoy moving and develop a sense of rhythm. As they grow, strumming a guitar, blowing a recorder or plinking a keyboard all help with fine motor skills.