Empowering Early Childhood Educators, Parents and Caregivers Alike

Instruments

Egg Shakers

Egg shakers are the perfect rhythm instrument for young kiddos!  They are small enough for little hands, but too big to fit into a child’s mouth and become a choking hazard.  They also have a very soothing sound and feel to them.  We highly recommend using these in a classroom setting for part of your rhythm band as a substitute for jingle bells, which can sometimes be too much for sensitive little ears.

Slide Whistle

Slide whistles are fun and easy to use.  I have used them for many years to help children warm up their singing voices and use their head voice.  You can also use them to give musical cues to children…it’s time to clean up, it’s time to transition back to the carpet, etc.  They are also fantastic for sound effects during puppet shows and pretend play!

Makala soprano ukuleles

These ukuleles are beautifully made and have a bright, clear sound. They also stay in tune, even with constant pulling and plucking from little fingers! And the color options are great!

Hohner kids harmonica

Hohner is the brand that always comes to mind when we think of harmonicas – they are the best! And these are the perfect size for little hands and have a nice, clear and bright sound.

Kazoos

We love kazoos! We love them so much, we think you should have more than one! Check out this 8-pack from Amazon so your whole family can hum and buzz to their heart’s content!

Yamaha P45B Digital Piano

In my studio, I work with my students’ families to make sure they find the right fit for a piano. In general, I always start by recommending that children who are learning to play the piano should always be practicing on an actual piano, not a keyboard. In general, the sound production on a piano is far superior to that of a keyboard, no matter how fantastic the keyboard is. That being said, I also realize that purchasing a piano may not always be the best option for families. So I have done some research on finding three keyboards that I feel can meet my standards of quality and at three different price points. I have listed three keyboards that meet my specifications: all 88 keys, weighted keys (this gets close to feeling like an actual piano), it includes an internal speaker so that you do not also have to purchase an external speaker, and it includes a stand for the keyboard (this is extremely important so that the height of the keyboard is adjustable for your child.) See below for my recommended piano bench!

Yamaha P115 Digital Piano

In my studio, I work with my students’ families to make sure they find the right fit for a piano. In general, I always start by recommending that children who are learning to play the piano should always be practicing on an actual piano, not a keyboard. In general, the sound production on a piano is far superior to that of a keyboard, no matter how fantastic the keyboard is. That being said, I also realize that purchasing a piano may not always be the best option for families. So I have done some research on finding three keyboards that I feel can meet my standards of quality and at three different price points. I have listed three keyboards that meet my specifications: all 88 keys, weighted keys (this gets close to feeling like an actual piano), it includes an internal speaker so that you do not also have to purchase an external speaker, and it includes a stand for the keyboard (this is extremely important so that the height of the keyboard is adjustable for your child.) This particular bundle also comes with an adjustable bench!

Yamaha YDP143R Digital Piano

In my studio, I work with my students’ families to make sure they find the right fit for a piano. In general, I always start by recommending that children who are learning to play the piano should always be practicing on an actual piano, not a keyboard. In general, the sound production on a piano is far superior to that of a keyboard, no matter how fantastic the keyboard is. That being said, I also realize that purchasing a piano may not always be the best option for families. So I have done some research on finding three keyboards that I feel can meet my standards of quality and at three different price points. I have listed three keyboards that meet my specifications: all 88 keys, weighted keys (this gets close to feeling like an actual piano), it includes an internal speaker so that you do not also have to purchase an external speaker, and it includes a stand for the keyboard (this is extremely important so that the height of the keyboard is adjustable for your child.)

Keyboard bench

Having an adjustable bench at the keyboard instead of a chair is incredibly important. To ensure proper hand, wrist, and arm position at the piano right from the start, your child’s bench and keyboard height need to be adjusted for your child’s height. When your child approaches the piano, their forearm should be parallel with the floor.

Drum

Ooh, how we love this drum at our house! Both of our boys have used it from the time they could sit up and bang! It has a clear, deep tone when played with the mallets, but even sounds good when played with hands.

Hohner Soprano Glockenspiel

This little glockenspiel is just the right size for a young child to start making music. The bars are in tune and the instrument is well-made and can handle little toddler hands!

Boomwhackers

I used these in my classroom for years and they are pretty awesome – just be warned that they do require hitting them on the floor to make a pitch (think Stomp on Broadway…). These are perfect for older children (5 and up) and allow for great experimentation with melody, harmony, rhythm…AND great practice for gross motor skills!