T is for Tunes: Themed Activities

The activities for T are themed around the word 'Tunes'.  Please add in your own ideas for this theme to expand the list for others interested in this. Most of us know a child who enjoys music so it is a way to reach into their world to connect in an area of interest to them. We want to relate to children on their turf. What are they interested in and how can you jump in and use that to build up their skills? How can you connect through music? 

1.Name that tune: Sing or play the first few notes of a song and see if they can identify it. This works on memory, listening skills, auditory recognition and labeling.

2. Dance Party: It can be based on a theme or a favourite singer or random. It can be a five minute physical activity to regulate or get out their 'sillies' or a full evening of fun.

3.Marching Band: Have the children follow your lead or lead you as you march around a room, a house, a yard or the neighbourhood playing musical instruments as a band. The instruments can be purchased ones or made by the family at home. Decide together which tunes you will play as you go.

4. Make your own instrument: Examples of instruments you can make are shakers (dry beans in a plastic egg), drums (yogurt container) or sound blocks (one wood block and another covered with a material like bubble wrap or sandpaper).

5. Fill in the Blanks to songs: Sing a tune and whenever you stop, have a child fill in the next word. See how many they can correctly fill in.

6.Looney Tunes: Connect to character play. Have a cartoon Fiesta or a story time session. 

7. Pictionary: What tune are you drawing?  Going on a bear hunt? Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star? What a wonderful world? Take turns drawing and guessing different songs.

8. Science experiments: Discover how sound changes when you vary the levels of water in cups. Find out how elastic bands make unique sounds depending on their size and thickness. Try different items in shakers to experiment on what changes to the sounds depending on the materials used.

9. Have a karaoke night: Sing along to your favourite tunes, taking turns to sing a song of your choice for the entertainment of others.

10. Write your own tune!: Make up a song of your own, putting new words to a familiar tune or making up something from beginning to end and share it with others.

How do these activities build skills? They build scientific exploration, language building, listening skills, vocalizations, creativity, artistic skills and social skills to name a few. All based on something of great interest to the child(ren) in your life. Win-Win-Win.

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