Instruments are fun and exciting things to introduce to a session and help to create more offers and starting points for interaction. Here are some ideas for using instruments:
Introduce instruments after a few songs rather that at the beginning because starting with instruments can heighten children’s levels of arousal and decrease children’s ability to concentrate on the activity.
Remove loud instruments. You have control over the sound environment and loud instruments can be a distraction or can be uncomfortable to listen to.
Always give children a choice of instrument. Staff can offer a choice from a box of instruments or a choice between two appropriate instruments.
Try playing an identical instrument to that which is played by a child in order to find more rapport.
Giving instruments to support staff can help them feel more at ease.