Often played with the words hot, hotter, cold, colder, this variation swaps music for words. It teaches toddlers listening and thinking skills and helps to refine the idea of opposites. This music playing game is a favourite at all ages. Ask your child to match the tempo with their dance moves. You can vary this music dancing game by adding fast and slow music. It encourages self-control, by asking your child to stop as soon as the music stops and freeze in place until it starts again.įreeze also promotes self-regulation by trusting children to know when they haven’t stopped in time and by watching and calling out each other’s behaviour. Younger infants not yet ready to march can still familiarise themselves with different instruments to discover their sounds.Ī favourite at parties, Freeze is a fun music dancing game that can also be played with just a few friends or with family members. Let the children choose their instruments first, then you join in for a fun parade or marching and merry music making around the house. Think pots and pans, a pair of spoons or even a bottle that makes a fine whistle. These could be real or toy instruments but also household items. Gather together a range of “instruments” from around the house. A musical parade promotes social and emotional skills. It’s also a perfect icebreaker game to have at parties, especially when you want to create a welcoming environment. This musical instrument game is excellent for playdates or sibling playtime. A parade makes for a fun music instrument game Wielie-Wielie-Walie (Willy-Willy-Wally) – A children’s song from South Africa sung to the tune from Ring a Ring a Rosy.Ĥ.Buka, Gatarr, Yukun, Dalpan (Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes) – Sung in Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Language of North Eastern Victoria, Australia.Frère Jacques (Are You Sleeping) – Sung in French this song makes an excellent round.Together you can learn and sing children’s songs in other languages as well as English. Rhyming and rhythm make it easier for children to pick up words and meaning from other cultures and languages. Learn children’s songs from other cultures In the car, while shopping or as an outdoor game in the backyard or park.ģ. You can also sing nursery and counting rhymes anywhere with your child. Older children can join in and act out the counting rhymes or make up their own silly nonsense rhymes to the numbers. Try these fun counting rhymes with your infant or child: Encourage your child to join in with their hands or toys as you sing and count together. You can use your hands and fingers to show the numbers in the songs or use your child’s toys as props. Counting rhymes improve mathematical skillsĬounting rhymes develop basic numeracy and literacy skills at the same time. Alternatively, create a pair of puppet socks and put on a nursery rhyme show.Ģ. You could place two chairs, one behind the other for the nursery rhyme, The Wheels On The Bus. A few minutes a day singing children’s music together can teach your child language, rhyme, rhythm and repetition.ĭo you have any favourite nursery rhymes that you remember? If your memory is a little rusty head on over to Baby Karaoke for a refresher.įor older toddlers, encourage your child to act out the songs.

Nursery rhymes help children to develop listening and speaking skills. Singing nursery rhymes to develop literacy and language skills We selected these 8 fun educational music games for their ability to delight, but also for the clever way they help young children to grow.ġ.

Toddler’s music games promote creativity but also help build skills in: It’s easy to overlook how children’s music develops confidence and other learning and life skills. When we consider how music affects young children, we think about musical knowledge and musical skills. Fun, educational music games help infants and toddlers grow and learn in many ways. Did you know that music games can help your child develop fine motor skills? From an early age, we often think of music as something fun to wiggle our bodies too.

Music math games for kids