| While it is now generally accepted that music is | | | | small sizes. They also have a mini sea drum with |
| important for the development of babies and | | | | beads and a lovely sea pattern. |
| young children, many parents are confused by | | | | Care needs to be taken when selecting bells. All |
| the array of musical toys, instruments and | | | | bells have jingles and small parts that can be a |
| recordings that are available in the market place. | | | | choking hazard. Bells should only be used under |
| Musical instruments shall be discussed here. | | | | supervision with little ones. There is however a |
| The percussion family | | | | completely safe bell for babies produced by |
| There are a number of musical instruments | | | | Kindermusik where the jingles are enclosed in |
| generally from the percussion family that are | | | | cloth. These bells are attached to Velcro and can |
| suitable for little ones. Percussion instruments are | | | | be wrapped around wrists and ankles. |
| defined as those instruments that are shaken, | | | | Appealing to young children |
| scraped or struck with a beater or mallet. There | | | | Babies and young children learn through all the |
| are two kinds of percussion instruments: tuned | | | | senses. Musical toys and musical instruments |
| and un-tuned. Tuned percussion instruments are | | | | should be appealing in many ways. They should |
| correctly pitched enabling the playing of melodies. | | | | not only sound great but should be visually |
| The piano is a tuned percussion instrument as are | | | | attractive with good design and bright colours. |
| electronic keyboards and instruments with bars | | | | They should also feel good to play and encourage |
| such as xylophones and glockenspiels and individual | | | | active playing. They are not just for looking at. |
| tone or resonator bars. By far the majority of | | | | Good quality musical instruments can withstand |
| percussion instruments are un-tuned and some | | | | vigorous use. Many toy drums for example can |
| examples include maracas or shakers, triangles, | | | | be five minute wonders but a sturdy drum with a |
| jingle bells and tambourines and drums. | | | | natural skin head or quality synthetic head can |
| What is best for baby? | | | | give years of enjoyment. Remo produce some |
| It is important that babies are provided with | | | | beautiful children's drums from the delicious looking |
| musical toys and instruments that are age | | | | lollipop to jungle patterned toms, djembes, and |
| appropriate. Adult musical instruments can often | | | | bongos. |
| be unsuitable. Size really does matter. For | | | | Quality and price |
| example a large pair of Latin wooden maracas | | | | Good quality can often mean paying considerably |
| would not be suitable for a young baby as they | | | | more. This is the case not only with drums but |
| are too heavy and cannot be easily manipulated. | | | | certainly with xylophones and glockenspiels. Sonor |
| Strong sounds may also startle babies. There are | | | | produce a glockenspiel with precision tuning and an |
| however many types of mini maracas or baby | | | | incredibly beautiful sound that is built to last for |
| maracas that are lightweight with a delicate sound, | | | | years. In comparison many cheap barred |
| have easy grasp handles and are safe and | | | | instruments have a tinny, dull, highly inaccurate |
| washable. They provide visual stimulation as well | | | | pitch. But quality can also come at bargain |
| with lots of bright, colourful beads that are safely | | | | basement prices if you know what to look for |
| enclosed. This is an important consideration as all | | | | and where to look. Many examples can be found |
| children under one year will put everything in the | | | | with wooden toys and wooden musical |
| mouth. Halilit produce some beautiful mini maracas | | | | instruments such as castanets, tone blocks, |
| for babies as well as lovely rainbow rain shakers in | | | | spinning crackers and recorders. |