Simple Instruments

Keep some simple instruments in your car, like rhythm sticks, so that when your child is listening to his or her favorite song, they can keep time to the beat with their sticks, or a jingle bell, or a rattle. They love to participate in the music, and this is just one way they can do so. They will feel like they are helping you "drive," and that makes them happy too!

Let your child help you fold pillowcases

This may not sound like it relates to music, but it does.
When you are folding laundry, and your child wants to help you, please let him or her.
Show them to fold a washcloth or pillocase top to bottom, and then left to right. This lays a foundation for tracking, how they are going to read, either words on a page, or notes on sheet music. We do this exercise with scarves in class in conjuction with our peek-a-boo song. It's lots of fun. You can make up your own song about top to bottow and left to right.
It's fun, and it helps with reading readiness and with musical dynamics at the same time!
Singing,
Susan

Teaching your child the major third

Susan's Musikgarten is a joyful and fun place where babies, toddlers, and preschoolers experience and learn music fundamentals together. If you have a piano or keyboard, show your child where the D above middle C is.  Most children's singing range is in the key of D.  Then find F# (sharp).

Play D and F# together.  Ask your child to sing and hold the D while you sing the F# at the same time.  This will take some practice for most people.  Try it every day for 5 days.

Happy Day after Thanksgiving!  Music fills the soul with good things!