1. Props can be used with any music. Experiment with pom-poms (can be made out of plastic garbage bags), flags, capes, scarves, dress-up skirts (full ones that flow and twirl well), instruments (store-bought or pots & pans), puppets, crepe paper streamers. My favorite selections for imaginative dancing are the “Flight of the Bumblebee,” the “William Tell Overture.”

2. Using classical music varying in tempo and intensity, let the children dance as rain, snow, wind, etc. You can make stick puppets of a raindrop, sun, etc. to signal the kind of dance, or let the children determine the weather for themselves. The original Riverdance video or CD is excellent for this activity.

3. Sing-along tapes or karaoke tapes can be purchased at many music stores. They have vocals on one side and instrumentals on the other. This is a great way to develop a child’s “ear” for music. Let the child use a pretend microphone—you can purchase one, or a hairbrush works fine. Let your child put on a show for you or for his stuffed animals and dolls.

4. Introducing the old classic musicals at a young age will help develop a child’s love for music and may lead to hours of imaginative play. After watching a musical, you can go to the library and check out the tapes or CD‘s for more listening fun. Some of our favorites are Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (great dancing), Singing in the Rain, Wizard of Oz, Hello Dolly, Music Man, Calamity Jane, Flower Drum Song, Happiest Millionaire, Meet Me in St. Louis, Pirates of Penzance.

5. Sing-along video: Disney and other videos give children a new repertoire of songs, also helps with reading and makes it easy for you to learn the words too. We prefer the older Disney sing-alongs.

6. Which song to sing? Make a list of your favorite songs—primary, nursery rhymes, popular, etc. Write the names of the songs on paper fish, put the fish in a bowl, and let the children take turns choosing a fish. Or make bees and a beehive, apples and an apple tree, etc.

7. Golden Oldies: Don’t forget the old songs of the 20’s and the 50’s that are great fun for children. These songs are easy to find on tape and CD’s. You can check out the Reader’s Digest song books from the library for a collection of older songs. Also ask Grandma and Grandpa and aunts and uncles to share their favorite old songs.

8. Play music games in the car: The Song Game—everyone takes a turn choosing a song for all to sing together. Hum-That-Tune—one person hums a tune and the rest try to guess it. Name-That-Show—after your children have seen the classic movies you can then sing a few words from a song and have them name the movie, musical, or TV show. Daddy’s Goofy Song Game—make up new words to old tunes. Rounds, like “Row, Row Your Boat” are fun to sing in the car and help children develop their concentration.

9. Music Coloring: Give a child a blank piece of paper and some crayons, paints, markers, finger paints, or chalk. Turn on some music and let the child color to it. The “Flight of the Bumblebee” and the “William Tell Overture” are great here also.

10. Play soft, relaxing music for a peaceful mealtime. At Wal-Mart we purchased relaxing music with nature sounds. You can choose from a listen-to display.  The raindrops with piano music is incredible.

11. Play songs with good messages as children go to sleep. Studies show that what a person hears in the last half-hour before sleeping is replayed over and over in the subconscious. Playing music and stories at bedtime helps the children want to stay in bed. Better to hear "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" than “Get back in that bed NOW!"

12. Teach faith through music.  Purchase a copy of the Children’s Primary Songs on CD or tape from the Distribution Center. Learn the songs your child is learning in Primary so you can sing with him. Playing these songs on Sunday morning identifies the Sabbath and helps set a peaceful, reverent mood.  Our favorite album of all is I, Nephi by Janeen Brady.  The original album is available through the LDS-HEA bookstore, and the album has now been scripted into a play for use as a stake production.    

13. Use music to teach academic skills and facts. Times tables set to music are easier to learn. The SING, READ and WRITE program (available through the LDS-HEA bookstore) makes it easy to give young children a foundation in phonics long before they start school.

14. Teach values with music. Messages learned through music are more effective and remain longer in the subconscious mind. The Standin’ Tall stories by Janeen Brady teach values and let children play a character in the story as they read and sing-along. The Safety Kids series, also by Janeen Brady, is excellent for teaching children skills to protect themselves from strangers, drugs, and pornography.