Anything and everything can be a musical instrument! At our house, sitting around a table at meal time, the sound of tapping on the table, clinking forks on glasses, or blowing bubbles in the water quickly takes on a musical vibe. It doesn’t take long for everyone to contribute to the soundscape. Sometimes it’s to a recognisable beat or tune, “We will… We will… Rock You!” Other times the rhythm, tune, and lyrics are original, perhaps inspired by an activity at hand (for example: a song about a cabbage salad constellation- you had to be there!) Either way, creativity is flowing, it’s fun, noisy, and it’s collaborative; everything I believe music exploration should embrace.
While music education is imperative, budgets are spread thin these days, not only at home. As a music educator for schools, libraries, daycares, preschools and community centres, I understand resources are often scarce. The good news is that you don’t need expensive instruments to create an engaging and fun music program at home or in the classroom. I love finding everyday items, or inexpensive things to use as musical instruments or movement props. Even if I am a crafty person and like to make a lot of my own props, none of the suggestions below need craft skills!
Here are 4 of my favourite inexpensive props to support any music and movement program:
Rings
The set of rings I use was found at my local dollar store (10 flexible plastic rings for $3 in the outdoor play section). At the time, I didn’t know what I’d use them for. Fast forward 2 years and I have found endless ways to use them. They become steering wheels, frames, spots to jump in, rings to toss, the list is endless.
Check out this version of The Hokey Pokey with rings:
Cups
Cups may not seem like a go-to tool for your toolbox, but I promise you it’s so much fun! Think Anna Kendrick’s Cup Song but for preschoolers! Again, this is a growing trend in group classes, where little ones are taught rhythmic games of tapping, flipping or passing cups, creating choreographed routines to music.
Check out a very easy suggested tune to get started: Sombody’s Knocking at my Door
Scarves
Scares are an absolute must-have in my humble opinion! So versatile, we can imagine these becoming popcorn, planted seeds, animals, rainbows, spots, lines, and so much more! Plus, there are a lot of resources online to support encorporating scarves into your lesson plans right away!
Check out my playlist for scarf-songs here.
This is one of my recent favourites that I’ve been using in my classes all spring: A Little Seed
Feltboard
Adding a visual to any activity, adds an extra layer in the multisensory experience. Truth-be-told, I used to think of feltboards as old-fashioned, nostalgic tools of days gone by. However, I am consistently blown away by how engaged little ones are by this simple prop.
Check out my growing playlist of songs and rhymes for feltboards here.
This is my latest original, bilingul rhyme that counts down the metamorphoses of five caterpillars as they transform into butterflies!
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