[Valerrie]

To make it fun and engaging, I’d start by incorporating colorful and
inviting decorations that appeal to children’s senses. I’d also include a
variety of musical instruments, both homemade and store-bought, to
encourage exploration and experimentation.

[Trainer]

Valerrie, your idea to use colorful decorations and a variety of instruments is fantastic! It will definitely engage the children’s senses and foster their creativity.

[Eva]

Singing or chanting can help make routine activities and transitions, such as gathering children into a circle or group activity, smoother and more enjoyable.

[Sheila]

When a building the daycare music corner, I would definitely start off by accumulating or creating instruments that the kids can interact and experiment with! As noted in the training, purchasing toy instruments is a possibility (and can be inexpensive) but have the kids create their own for the center can also make the center more meaningful and FOR them.

[Trainer]

Sheila, great idea involving kids in creating their own instruments. It promotes creativity, ownership, and a sense of accomplishment. It’s a wonderful way to make the music corner meaningful for them.

[carrie]

The music center would be fun and interactive for the children. I would put signs with pictures of songs along with the name of the songs written for the children to ask Alexa to play. Instruments would be both real and created by the children, such as a maraca made from easter egg with beans inside in between two spoons. When the children make instruments and see them in another center they are excited and keeps them engaged and excited about music.

[Trainer]

Carrie, your idea of incorporating visuals and DIY instruments is great for engaging and exciting the children about music. It encourages creativity and exploration. Well done!

[Dana Parrish]

What a fun idea, and it incorporates language in the classroom as well as music.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Dana! Incorporating language in the music corner can enhance the learning experience for the little ones. Keep exploring creative ideas.

[Shannon]

I would decorate it with sheets of music, music cd covers and other colorful music related items such as having the children make handmade music instruments we could add to the area. I would provide a variety of instruments and cd’s for the children to explore.

[Danielle]

I would add a listening center. Scarves and beanbags and other items to move with.

[Yolanda lee]

Music center can also be a dance center. Children can pick different music and dance to it or paint while they listen to music. If there is a baby piano, can also included it in the center and can explore some music notes and basic music theory.

[Trainer]

Yolanda, great ideas! Incorporating dance, painting, and musical instruments will make the music corner interactive and educational for the children. Well thought out!

[Shalesa]

Making a music center interactive and colorful are the main focuses for my music corner. Allowing students to make their instruments from household items in class prompts creativity and a sense of pride/ joy in children when their items work! Posting pictures of instruments with names and sound buttons helps students recognize them in songs and music class days. Adding colors for each type of instrument bin helps students locate their preferred items quickly and prompt discussion on what they are made of and how they are made. Bringing in older music listening devices (CD player, Walkman, 8track player, and record player) allows students to hear music through the ages and connect with both teacher and parent while inspiring learning of new artists and sounds that may not be as popular today.

[roxana]

I would create a music corner with inviting posters to catch their interest, instruments to help them make music. I would also teach them a song with their instruments to show their families. Set up a music show for their families.

[gretchen Bucsko]

I would include colorful and appropriately sized instruments. You would not want huge drums or trumpets but maracas, rainsticks, drums, or even supplies to create one of the instruments you showcased that week. Kids would love that!

[Trainer]

Great suggestions, Gretchen! Colorful and appropriately sized instruments, along with DIY instrument supplies, would definitely make the music corner fun and engaging for the little ones.

[Morgan]

I would put some maracas in the music center, some bells, and maybe a small electric drum (the children’s ones) with a set of headphones. I think it is really important for kids to experience rhythm and be able to develop their love for and ability in the area of music.

[Trainer]

Great suggestions, Morgan! Including a variety of instruments and headphones shows consideration for individual interests and needs. It’s essential for children to explore and appreciate rhythm and music.

[Erika Buchholz]

I would perhaps make it inviting by posting pictures of actual instruments/real people playing instruments. Then I would introduce instruments such as maracas/drums/bells/a xylophone etc. I would also bring in open ended objects they could use as musical instruments

[Trainer]

Great ideas, Erika! Visual aids and open-ended objects are excellent ways to engage children in the music corner. Incorporating various instruments will make it fun and educational for them.

[megan gooding]

I would allow the children to practice making their own instruments so they can begin to understand how some instruments work. The children could use things like small kitchen containers and beans/rice. They can add these beans or rice and then close the container. They would then be able to shake it and hear it make noises. It would also be important to make sure the music corner has many different instruments from different cultures. This would include things like African drums, Asian string instruments, or wind instruments from the indigenous people of the U.S. These things would allow the children to have fun exploring music while also learning more about different cultures.

[Trainer]

Megan, your idea to let children create their own instruments is fantastic for fostering creativity and understanding. Including instruments from different cultures is also enriching. Great approach!

[Lindsay]

I would include the children in the planning of the area. Discuss which instruments interest us and what their typically made of. We would then decide as a group what instruments we would try to acquire and potentially which ones we could make. I would also like to ask the children to talk about kinds of music and then try having music they could play themselves either with an old cd player or mp3 player.

[Trainer]

Lindsay, involving children in planning and discussing instrument types is a great way to make the music corner engaging. It encourages creativity and ownership. Well done!

[Kelcie Haugen]

I would love to have a music corner in my classroom. To start, I would have the kids help make some of the instruments, such as rain sticks, shakers, or maracas. These can easily be made with recycled materials and different types of grains or dry beans inside. By having the kids be a part of the creation of the center, they will be more intrigued by it. I would also be sure to switch out some of the instruments every couple of week so that children don’t become bored. Lastly, if we had a CD player or a speaker the kids could use on their own, I would set it up with different themed songs each week to keep their interest.