Everyone loved playing home made percussion instruments as we sang African songs for Kwanzaa or French carols like “Noël Nouvelet”. Scarves in hand, we danced along with the Sugar Plum Fairies and galloped with the horses of Sleigh Ride. Our imaginations came along for the ride as rode our toboggans down the slippery slopes, twirled like spinning dreidels or pretended we were the “Little Drummer Boy”.
In these days of being at home with your children, it may be challenging to find new ways to keep them interested. I have added a few items to my music teacher's toolbox - a pair of mittens, a silk scarf, a plastic cup and homemade percussion instruments (a pot and wooden spoon will do) - to heighten the children's music making experience with sights and sounds.
Are you looking for a great holiday themed book for your child? One of my favorites is The Nutcracker with illustrations by Alison Jay ... . This book would be well suited for children age 5 and up.
All of us can sing – young or old, in tune or not – to proclaim the beauty of the season. Themes of peace, hope and light bring us comfort in unsettling times such as these.