Children should have an opportunity to explore music. At the least, the following music toys for children should include: drums, xylophones, maracas, tamborines, cymbals, and triangles. The reason I recommend these toys is because they are basic, durable, and cleanable.
Singing and Learning
Parents and teachers have used music to teach children for a long time. The “ABC Song” is an excellent example of this. Children remember information and memorize patterns when they sing. Children love music, so it makes sense to use it when teaching them.
Benefits of Children Playing With Music Toys
Physical Development
Playing with musical toys helps to promote children’s development in the physical domain. First of all, music toys helps to improve children’s motor skills and coordination. For example, when a child enthusiastically jumps around while banging on a drum, he is strengthening both his large and small muscles and he is also improving his balance and coordination.
Language Development
Playing with musical toys also encourages language development by helping children to interpret auditory signals and improve their auditory memory. In addition, playing with music toys while singing helps to build vocabulary and improve phonological awareness. Children can use all of these skills when they learn to read.
Cognitive Development
Children’s cognitive development can be also be improved when they play with musical toys. For example, when children learn to keep the beat of the music and they are shown how their movements form patterns, they learn basic concepts in both math and music. Music and movement can also teach children about numbers and math. Plus, children are more engaged in learning when they are taught math with music. Lastly, playing with music toys also helps to strengthen children’s memory.
Social/Emotional Development
Playing with musical toys also help children grow both socially and emotionally. First, children are able to creatively express their emotions. Also, playing with music toys can cheer them up when they are sad, as well as soothing them when they are upset. In addition, children gain confidence when they participate in music activities. Children also learn how to work together and bond as a group. Last, but not least, when parents participate, it strengthens the parent/child bond.
Musical Toys and Sensory Development
Musical toys are also important because they help to improve children’s sensory development. I cover more on this topic in the Sensory Toys post.
More Information
It is crucial for parents and teachers to recognize the importance of play for healthy child development. For more information on this topic, as well as toy safety and age-appropriate toys for children, please visit the website for The National Association for the Education of Young Children, also known as NAEYC by using the following link. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/toys