Begin to hold instruments and sound makers more securely and play them more purposefully

New instruments will be exciting and children will need the opportunity to learn how to touch them with care. Talk to the nursery/school staff about how to prepare children for this.

Provide two beaters to encourage the development of skills with both hands.

Ensure that instruments and sound makers are safe for young children, e.g. beaters should have fixed or moulded heads so that the head does not come off if placed in their mouths.

Remember that young children may try to test instruments and resources to destruction, often by tapping them on different surfaces (maracas beware!) or shaking them vigorously. They may also try to take them apart, e.g. removing bars from tuned percussion. If an instrument or sound maker or indeed the child, is in danger, gently encourage a more gentle approach; model and explain.

Explain to children how important it is to care for instruments and treat them with respect.

Exploration should be encouraged without references to the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to play. However, children must be taught that keeping themselves and instruments safe is important and that instruments and sound makers must be respected.

Ideally, children should be able to take instruments and sound makers to other areas to play (not just seated on the carpet or in a ‘music corner’), but this does create challenges so you and the nursery/school staff need to create boundaries.

Remember, there is no right or wrong answer (though some clarification may be needed, e.g. ‘This character is a snail, do you think snails move quickly or slowly?’).

Young children will find it easier to play the rhythm of a known song on handheld instruments/sound makers rather than the pulse/beat, which can take time to understand and master.