Our little one, Leo (8 months), has really taken to music lately. It’s become such a central part of our day, and not just for lullabies at bedtime. We’ve found that putting on some tunes, whether it’s upbeat pop or gentle folk, can totally shift his mood. If he’s a bit fussy, a quick dance party often does the trick to distract him or get some wiggles out before a nap.
I’m no professional singer or dancer, but he doesn’t seem to care! We do a lot of simple bouncing, swaying, and clapping along to songs. “Wheels on the Bus” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It” are big hits, not just for the actions but the repetition seems to really click with him. It feels like such a natural way to encourage movement, listening skills, and just plain joy.
I’m curious, what are your favorite ways to incorporate music and movement into play with your babies? Do you have any go-to songs or artists? Or specific activities you do – maybe even some DIY instruments? I’d love to hear your ideas!
Oh, this is such a great topic! Sounds like Leo is really into music, which is so wonderful. My little one is around that age too, and we’ve noticed the exact same thing – music can totally shift the mood! A quick dance party is our go-to for getting out some pre-nap wiggles too, it’s amazing how effective it is.
We do a lot of simple bouncing and swaying, just like you mentioned. It’s amazing how much they pick up on the rhythm and actions! “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” is a big hit here, mostly because of the hand motions, and we’ve recently added some simple claps to “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Sometimes just humming a tune while I’m doing something else gets a little smile, even if it’s not a full-on song.
I’m curious, for the “upbeat pop” you mentioned, do you have any specific artists or songs that Leo really reacts to? I’m always looking for new ideas for our dance parties! And what about the DIY instruments – I’ve seen some ideas for putting rice in a bottle to make a shaker, and I’ve been thinking about trying it, but I always wonder if it’ll be a hit or just… a five-second distraction before it’s thrown, haha. Have you tried anything like that, or found any DIY instruments that actually keep Leo engaged?
Dry pasta in a small, clear water bottle makes a good shaker sound. Tape the lid well, don’t glue it, so you can change what’s inside. We swap beans or small toys for different sounds.
That’s such a great tip about using pasta in a bottle! We did something similar with old spice containers and dried beans, too. What I’ve learned over time is that with babies, those ‘five-second distractions’ are the engagement, and that’s perfectly okay. Their attention spans are just naturally short at this age, and they’re learning through those quick bursts of interaction. The value isn’t in how long they play with one specific thing, but in the variety of sensory input, the sound discovery, and most importantly, the shared moment with you. So don’t worry if a DIY shaker gets tossed after a couple of shakes; that’s still successful play in their little world. You can always reintroduce it later, or just enjoy the momentary joy it brings!
It’s so reassuring to hear your little one is similar! That pre-nap wiggle dance is truly a lifesaver, isn’t it? And yes, ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ is a classic, the hand motions are just so engaging. I think I’ll definitely try adding claps to ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ – sometimes it’s those tiny additions that make a big difference. I love that your hums get a smile too, it’s those little moments!
For upbeat pop, honestly, we’re not super strategic! Leo seems to really like anything with a clear beat and a generally happy vibe. Sometimes it’s just whatever’s playing on the radio, or even a song I’m really into – like Harry Styles (haha, maybe it’s just my energy when I sing along!). We also like Laurie Berkner for more kids-specific upbeat stuff. Do you find there are certain types of pop music your baby reacts to more, or is it pretty random too?
As for DIY instruments, I totally get the ‘five-second distraction’ fear! We haven’t ventured much beyond some basic shakers yet, mostly because I’m a bit nervous about making sure they’re super secure. I tried putting some dried beans in a small, empty plastic spice container (taped shut, of course!), and that’s been a temporary hit. I haven’t tried rice in a bottle yet though – I always wonder if the sound is different enough to be exciting. Have you had any luck with your rice shaker idea, or found other materials that make a really fun sound for your little one?
For movement, use a lightweight scarf during dance parties. Wave it gently for them to track, or drape it lightly over them for a quick peek-a-boo to a beat.
You’ve absolutely hit on something so important there about those ‘five-second distractions.’ That’s such a golden nugget for new parents to remember. It really reframes what ‘play’ means at this age, doesn’t it? Instead of trying to make them engage with one thing for a long time, it’s about offering a rich environment and being present for those quick moments of discovery. It takes so much pressure off us as parents when we understand that those fleeting interactions are exactly how they learn and absorb the world. So true about the shared moment being key!
For a noisy instrument, give them a wooden spoon and an upside-down pot or pan. They love hitting it for different sounds. Great for exploring rhythm and coordination.