Music Activities for 5- to 6-Year-Olds

Though they are still young, it’s important for 5- to 6-year-olds to be exposed to various types of music and music activities. Exposure helps aid development and music exposure is especially important because, not only does music serve as a valuable tool on its own, but it can open up opportunities for your child later in life. Many schools have music recreation programs, such as band and choir. These types of classes and activities can prove to be a productive outlet for kids of all ages. Encourage your children to become involved with music early through music-oriented activities.

Hold daily singalong sessions. Whether you are a parent or an educator, you can host sing along sessions with one child or the entire class. Singalong sessions help children learn songs and understand how to sing as opposed to speak. Though 5- to 6-year-olds are young and will most likely not understand the concepts of notes or reading music, it’s important to teach them the basics of making music with their voices. Encourage your kids to sing along to recordings of children’s songs, such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This type of activity will also help them with memorization. You can also substitute singalong videos for this exercise.

Teach 5- to 6-year-olds songs that have actions. This will help your child to learn to be able to coordinate movement with vocals. Songs such as, “I’m a Little Teapot,” have established actions to go along with the song. You can also pick a children’s song or a child-appropriate song and create a few actions of your own. This type of musical activity helps children to develop two skills at once. It will also teach them the importance of timing as they will be required to perform certain actions during parts of the song.

Play games that require a child to transition between stations while music is playing. Play the classic musical chairs game with a group of 5- to 6-year-olds. While the music plays, ask that the children circle a group of chairs. When the music stops, each child must find a chair to sit in. Make sure that there is always one less chair than the amount of children. The child who doesn’t find a chair to sit in is out. Alter this game by playing musical hoops, a game that is endorsed by the professionals at The Savvy Source which is a child-rearing website. Place several hula hoops on the floor around the room. Within each hoop, place a musical instrument, such as a recorder or a drum. Have your child pick a hoop and play the instrument of choice while you have a song playing. When you pause the song, have the child move to another hoop station. Resume music.

Introduce your 5- to 6-year-old to online music games. These games can be beneficial as they can teach children songs while learning about common objects that can be used to create music or how to dance. Zoodles.com offers an array of free, exciting music oriented games for young children. One such game, "Boogie Beats," invites your child to click buttons on the screen to create a soundtrack for premade videos.