Safety Issues!

Before going much further with describing musical adventures to try with your children, let's address a few really important issues! Just as with all toys, props and activities for very young children, there are certain safety considerations in the vibrant music classroom. While many of these primarily apply to group situations, there are aspects that also apply on a one-to-one basis.

1) Teacher supervision - This means being attentive and watchful, and maintaining the same ratios of teacher/student as is appropriate for the children in a regular classroom. One must be vigilant for any child mis-using a prop, or for the excitement of the group overtaking what is safe.

2) Any props must be checked for choking hazards for children under the age of 3, and any others who may be less mature than the norm for the classroom. Note: Any hand-made shakers should be carefully sealed with glue and tape in order to be sure that small pieces don't come flying out!

3) Rhythm sticks made of wood should be checked periodically for splintering, and should have rounded ends or rounded edges just in case!

4) Streamers are best kept at a length not to exceed 2 - 3 feet. Some commercial streamers are very long, and require much more height and longer arms. If the streamers are too long, trim them so that the children can manipulate them more easily, and not trip over them.

5) Ideally, children should be spaced appropriately for large motor activities. If they are using streamers, they need enough for their movements plus the outreach of the streamer, if at all possible. PLEASE NOTE: If you have a child who refuses to adjust his space, or who refuses to participate, without making a huge issue of the refusal, just help the child move while explaining that he needs to be in a safe spot where he can watch and/or listen - and that he may rejoin the group for the next activity.

6) Last, but not least, ideally, all props/instruments should be sanitized at the end of the day according to childcare guidelines. If at all possible, it is helpful to have enough extras to where, if a child mouths the prop, it can be set aside and replaced with another while the mouthed prop is set aside.