| It has been widely accepted from early human | | | | bell jingles are a plain D shaped bell available in many |
| history that music plays a pivotal role in the | | | | colours, Kingdom Bells or Clown Bells are the D |
| development of our intellect. For Plato, music was the | | | | shaped bell with a decorative character on the handle. |
| foundation of all education. For today's parents there | | | | Tummy time is so important at this stage and musical |
| is an enormous range of musical toys often leading | | | | toys are ideal to hold the attention and provide |
| to confusion as to what is important at each stage | | | | amusement while on the tummy for developing |
| of development. This article will match each stage of | | | | muscle tone and core strength. Sheer scarves |
| infant development with the appropriate musical | | | | provide opportunities for peek-a-boo games and that |
| resources to make the selection and purchase of | | | | developing sense of humour and anticipation. |
| toys and instruments that much easier. | | | | Babies move on to a huge development in their |
| The first 3 months of life are the most vulnerable | | | | movement capabilities at around five months of age. |
| and dependent stage. The newborn depends on all | | | | Having developed muscle tone and core strength |
| nurture and sustenance being provided by his parents. | | | | from lots of tummy time they will first learn to roll |
| Interaction with parents and caregivers is paramount | | | | over and when placed on the floor can pivot and |
| during this phase. Your face and your emotional | | | | change direction very easily. This is a good |
| response are a primary focus for the baby. Baby has | | | | opportunity to encourage movement and any toy |
| not learnt to grasp or hold and so you are the | | | | that moves such as the Vtech Roll and Wiggle |
| provider of most stimulation. Choices parents make | | | | Caterpillar or Magic Moves Baby Ball are ideal musical |
| at this point are important and need to match the | | | | toys that will urge baby to move in pursuit. These |
| development of the child. Babies have a number of | | | | toys are great for the baby moving on to the |
| primitive reflexes. The Moro (or startle) reflex is one | | | | creeping, crawling phase. |
| we are all familiar with. In practise this means that | | | | Babies move from crawling and creeping to the stage |
| sudden loud noises will not be appreciated. For this | | | | of being able to pull themselves up and cruise around |
| first 3 month stage it is better to choose quieter | | | | furniture. Toys that are interactive are important at |
| sounds, for example Baby Maracas from the Halilit | | | | this stage. The Vtech range with My First Music |
| range are ideal, such as the Three Sound Set, or the | | | | Maker, Sing with Me Piano, and the more |
| Halilit Sea Sound Mini Drum and Mini Rainmaker. Toys | | | | sophisticated Sing & Discover Piano are ideal. |
| by Tolo such as the Gripper Rattle and Shake Rattle | | | | Story books and nursery rhymes should be everyday |
| Roll, are also a very good option with other shakers | | | | at this stage. Read to your baby. There is no better |
| and rattles that are bright and colourful and yet | | | | way than with an interactive book that provides not |
| gentle in sound. Any maracas, drums, castanets, bells, | | | | only the visual but the sung rhymes and opportunities |
| tambourines are fine at this stage as YOU are the | | | | for interaction. The Peek-A-Boo- Book by Vtech |
| producer of the sound source and can modify the | | | | provides these essential opportunities. |
| loudness according to the response of the child. | | | | Once baby has reached that stage of walking then |
| Newborns are very responsive to stark black and | | | | more sophisticated musical instruments can be |
| white contrasts so while bright colours are great for | | | | introduced. Barred instruments that can be hit by a |
| young children, at the newborn stage black and white | | | | mallet or beater can provide lots of fun. The Halilit |
| are also very important. The Amazing Baby Sound | | | | Baby's First Xylophone is a good choice here as is the |
| Balls contain a ball with that black and white contrast | | | | Voila Smiley Xylophone if you are looking for |
| and are a great multi-sensory toy for little ones. | | | | something wooden. |
| Once babies reach the stage of being able to grasp | | | | This article has provided just some examples from |
| objects at approximately four months of age then | | | | the range of toys available for the first 12 months. |
| consideration needs to be given to the fact that | | | | There are many musical instruments that are suitable |
| everything will go in the mouth. The weight of any | | | | for later stages of development. For example any |
| toy is also important. There are a number of | | | | instrument or toy that has to be blown is not suitable |
| washable lightweight shakers such as those produced | | | | for the first twelve months as babies have no breath |
| by Halilit. There are also some mini wooden maracas | | | | control or ability to blow as required. All recorder, |
| which are light enough to hold that can be wiped | | | | trumpet instruments or the like, whether mini sized or |
| clean. Mini Rainbow Shakers are also a good option as | | | | full size are best left to later stages of development |
| are Halilit's Musical Shapes and Animal shapes with | | | | and shall be dealt with in future articles. |
| different sounds and colours. All musical instruments | | | | Choose your musical and educational toys for babies |
| with bells need to be carefully selected as for this | | | | with care. Look online to the specialist music stores |
| age group they are a choking hazard. Kindermusik | | | | that cater specifically for this age group. Make sure |
| produce a totally safe bell where the jingles are | | | | you choose those retailers with practical experience |
| enclosed in cloth. If you are going to use bells then | | | | in the music education of babies and young children |
| this must be completely under adult supervision at all | | | | rather than general toy retailers. |
| times. There are some beautiful bells available. Five | | | | |