Teach toddlers about pitch by playing a recording featuring many different notes and harmonics. Opt for a recording of a capella singing to avoid distracting children with the presence of percussion instruments. Do not play the recording as background noise and instead ask toddlers to listen carefully. After it has finished playing, hum a melody that was prominent within the recording and ask toddlers to hum it back to you. If this task is too difficult, try a specific pitch. Explain that each pitch has a note name that helps musicians and singers read music as if they were reading a book, translating the notes they see on the page into sound.
Explain that more than one note makes a chord. For example, ask one child to hum a C and demonstrate what this sounds like. Ask her to keep holding the C while another child hums a G based on your demonstration. Encourage the toddlers to listen to the way the different notes interact, creating an entirely new sound. Explain that a chord that sounds sad is called a minor chord, while a happy chord is major. Allow children to experiment by singing different notes in harmony with one another. Do not worry about their accuracy and pitch. The object of activities that teach children about chords is to get them interested in the vast array of concepts that constitute music education so they will continue to learn and experiment.
Teach children about music history. Explain that classical music gradually morphed into blues and rock 'n' roll, which continued to grow and change as people broke previous musical rules and expanded the boundaries of each genre. Teach toddlers that much of American pop music, including rock 'n' roll, is rooted in African music. Help them engage with the history lesson by asking them what their favorite bands or songs are. While toddlers may have a preference for nursery rhymes, they are also without the biases and social stigmas that inform the music tastes of adults. Tell preschoolers to ask their parents to share their favorite bands and you may open them up to a lifetime of appreciation for diverse music styles.
Carry out a simple composition activity with preschool children. Ask them to sing or hum a melody that they find appealing. Sing or play along with each child, ideally with a piano or guitar. Introducing the concept that toddlers can create music as well as listen to it at an early age can instill a love of musical creativity in children. This may have a large impact on their futures, encouraging them to play instruments, compose, sing in choirs or play in bands or orchestras.