The first melodies

In this Music Notebook, we focus on the early stages of auditory development in young children. We continue to expand our musical repertoire by offering a few suggestions for songs and nursery rhymes with gestures. Finally, we suggest three new activities for sharing musical moments with the family, based on the theme of musical instruments.

When do we become capable of hearing?

Hearing is a sense that develops very early in humans, while they are still in their mother’s womb. This quiet and cozy place exposes them to a rich world of sounds composed of noises coming from their mother (voice, heartbeat, gurgling) and noises from the outside environment.

Numerous studies have been conducted showing that infants react to sound stimuli to which they are exposed while in the womb. A familiar voice, music, or story usually causes a change in their heart rate, which slows down. After birth, exposing a toddler to sound stimuli (music, voices, the English language) that they heard while in the womb elicits a recognition response. This is one of the reasons why children are attracted to their mother’s voice from the first weeks of life.

In concrete terms, the cochlea, which is responsible for the functioning of the inner ear, is believed to be functional before birth, at around 20 weeks of gestation. From birth, infants have well-developed hearing abilities, particularly in the high frequencies (high-pitched sounds). Around the age of two, their hearing abilities are very similar to those of adults. They continue to develop gradually until the age of ten, especially in the low frequencies (low-pitched sounds).

Songs and nursery rhymes with gestures

Singing in a choir is a wonderful way to have fun as a family. Songs and nursery rhymes accompanied by gestures are very effective in attracting children’s attention and making them want to participate. Some toddlers are more inclined to move, others to sing, depending on their age and personality. Here are some suggestions for songs with gestures to explore with your child.

Ainsi font les petites marionnettes

Vole vole papillon

Un petit pouce

Cinq doigts voyageurs

Si tu aimes le soleil

Je cache mes yeux

Dans mon pays d’Espagne

Petit escargot

Tête épaule genou et pieds

Éveil musical activities: musical instruments

As in previous issues of Music Notebooks, we offer ideas for activities that will allow you to enjoy musical moments with your family. Our Éveil musical suggestions focus on the theme of musical instruments.

Explore musical instruments: If you have the opportunity, introduce your child to musical instruments, whether at home, when visiting friends or family, or at a concert. Guitars, violins, drums, flutes, and all other instruments are beautiful and intriguing objects, with sleek designs, made from noble materials such as wood, metal, and leather.

Simply explain how the instrument works to your child, play a few notes, then let them explore it: its shape, texture, colors, and the sounds it makes. You can also sing a song and invite your child to accompany you with their instrument.

Toy instruments are very well suited to the size and motor skills of young children. They are therefore a very interesting solution. Exposing children to real musical instruments allows them to hear even richer, clearer sounds and thus develop their musical ear.

Imitate musicians: Have fun with your child imitating how different musical instruments are played: violin, guitar, drums, etc. The song Bonhomme bonhomme sais-tu jouer by Carmen Campange invites us to mime all kinds of instruments. The repetitive form of the song is particularly accessible for young children.

Listen to musical instruments: Listen to instrumental music with your child and name which musical instrument produces each sound. Start with pieces featuring a single instrument, then move on to more complex songs. You can then have fun listening to pieces of music and guessing which instruments are being played. The possibilities are endless.

See you in a month for an autumn edition of our Music Notebook!