AM T1.02Listening to a Live Instrument
The adult plays single notes and a short, simple piece on a real instrument near the child, who watches and listens.
Safety
- Adult instruments are stored out of the child's reach and used only while the adult holds them.
- Play at a volume that still allows normal conversation, and keep loud instruments such as brass and large drums away from infants' ears.
Presentation
- 1
Choose a time when the child is rested and fed and the room is quiet.
- 2
Sit on the floor about 1–2 m from the infant on their mat, or near the toddlers who choose to come.
- 3
Show the instrument and name it: 'This is a guitar.'
- 4
Play one note and let it ring until it ends. This is the point of interest: the child hears the sound start and fade.
- 5
Play a short, simple melody or a song the child knows, softly, for one to three minutes.
- 6
Watch the child. Stop if they turn away, become restless, or cover their ears.
- 7
For a toddler, hold the instrument and let them play it once (for example, strum the strings), then name what happened: 'You made the strings sound.'
- 8
Put the instrument away in its case or on a shelf the child cannot reach.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Play loud and soft notes and name the difference
- Play high and low notes and name them
- Play the same song on two different instruments
- Invite a family member or visiting musician to play
Control of error
None in the material; the adult watches whether the child stills and turns toward the sound, and stops when the child turns away.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Turns head or body toward the instrument when it begins to play
- Watches the adult's hands while they play
- Stays and listens for a full short piece
- Asks for the instrument or a song by word or gesture
Guide note
Live music is preferred to recordings because the player can watch the child, stop, and repeat, and the child sees how the sound is made. When a recording is used, choose one piece, play it at low volume, listen to it together, and turn it off. No music videos (AAP: no screen media under 18 months other than video chat).