Child's play making music with instruments from Hokema

Experiencing music and creating it yourself is balm for the soul. Music is passionate, emotional and powerful. As the Swiss educator Pestalozzi once said: "I don't need to remind you how important music is because it can create and support the highest feelings of which man is capable.

We at Hokema want to make music accessible to even the youngest children . Since 1985, Hokema has been committed to making musical instruments for children. Why? Because music brings joy and has a valuable benefit even in childhood. It not only promotes your child's creativity, but also helps develop mental and motor skills. With the help of our instruments, children discover a love of music. With the traditional African plucked instruments, making music is child's play. Learning the Kalimba and Sansula inspires children and lays the foundation for their future engagement with music.

Table of contents

• Early Childhood Development with Music
• children's songs
• Making Music with Children
• Instruments for Children
• musical instruments from Hokema

Early Childhood Development with Music

Carl Orff, a well-known composer, is considered the pioneer of early musical education. The term “early childhood music education” refers to the musical education of children under the age of six. That is, until they start school. Orff was of the opinion that music begins within people. In combination with dance and language, music becomes a whole. A well-thought-out, pedagogical concept of early childhood development using music has existed since the 1960s. Before that, children in kindergarten or school had already made music, danced and sung - but this happened without any specific educational intention.

There are many advantages to introducing children to music and instruments as early as possible. When learning an instrument, your little ones develop certain skills that have a positive effect on their school years and later life.

Whether children make music themselves or watch others do it – beautiful melodies, different tones and rhythms inspire and fascinate every child. It also trains the creative and intellectual development . Language development and motor skills also benefit from early contact with music. By learning certain sequences of tones, children's memory is trained. The child's ability to express themselves is also further developed. But the most important thing is that music is fun for children! It's not about hitting every note perfectly, but about having fun learning new songs. Music is so important in early childhood because melodies are one of the first things that small children can experience and understand.

children's songs

Children's songs are one of the most important factors in early childhood music education . There are countless children's songs, but they all have something in common: a simple melody and easy-to-understand lyrics. They also don't overwhelm children. The large selection and variety of songs means that children always remain motivated and don't lose interest in learning new lyrics. The songs are characterized by repetitions that encourage children to imitate. By repeating the lyrics, the songs quickly stick in the child's head. When the child can sing a song by heart and all by themselves, it is a great sense of achievement and a feeling of satisfaction.

Children's songs:

• tell stories,
• explain the difference between good and evil,
• promote the child’s social skills and
• convey moral values.

Making Music with Children

The Making Music with Children plays a major role in developmental psychology. Even small babies react to different tones and sounds. Even before children can speak, they sing and dance in their own unique way. In order to promote this musical potential, making music together is very important. We will tell you, what positive effects a musical instrument can have on children :

• Relaxation : By concentrating on the instrument and different tones, children relax and can forget stress and negative feelings.
• Social skills : Children learn to look out for one another, especially when making music in a group. A sense of community is also created. Everyone finds their place in a group, which shapes and strengthens their own character.
• Personal responsibility : Independence is also encouraged with the help of an instrument. The child is responsible for his or her own learning progress, with the exception of some motivational aids.
• Concentration : Playing an instrument also trains the memory. On the one hand, children concentrate on their own bodies, and on the other hand, on the instrument and the notes.
• Fine motor skills : Through regular practice, the fine motor skills of the hands, for example, are trained and developed.
• Self-confidence : Another very important point is the self-esteem that children gain when they celebrate their first successes. This naturally motivates and encourages them to develop their skills.

Instruments for Children

In the world of instruments, your child is spoiled for choice. Whether they like to try out different instruments or prefer a particular instrument from an early age - the main thing is the joy of making music! Children should have fun getting to know an instrument and producing their first sounds and melodies. At the beginning, simple instruments such as rattles, xylophones or glockenspiels are particularly suitable. In this way, children slowly get to grips with the fabulous world of sounds and develop their first preferences for a style of music or an instrument.

From the age of 5 we especially recommend the Kalimba - an instrument from Africa that enchanted people with its sounds as early as 1000 BC. A kalimba is impressive in many ways: it is easy to learn, can be taken anywhere due to its size and delights with harmonious melodies.

musical instruments from Hokema

On the child-friendly instruments from Hokema Sounds and melodies are created using the hands. Here you will find Kalimbas – African plucked instruments with a long tradition. This instrument can be used to produce soft and gentle sounds that can be wonderfully combined with other instruments. Since 2001 we also offer the Sansula . This was developed by Peter Hokema. A Sansula is an oval wooden frame over which a drum skin is stretched. In the middle of the drum skin there is a small Kalimba. The instrument is an extension of the Kalimba .

Children's Kalimbas & Kalimba learning

The special thing about Kalimba is that everyone can play it – including children! In addition, the The instrument is very easy to learn . Children do not need any previous knowledge or even musical training. When playing a kalimba, hearing is the most important thing. The so-called thumb piano is equipped with reeds that are lightly pressed down and then released. This produces delicate but also sonorous tones. The tones are tuned by pushing the reeds back and forth. The kalimba is a great beginner's instrument for children aged 5 and over.

Sansulas for children

The Sansula is an instrument that is ideal for children. It makes playing music child's play. For this reason, children have great fun with the instrument. Since all of the instrument's notes sound harmonious with one another, children in particular quickly experience success.
The The sound of the Sansula is extraordinary and special . In contrast to other sound amplifiers, the tones of the Sansula are sustained for longer. It is particularly suitable for improvising and trying out different melodies. The instrument is available in different versions. Depending on the model and the range of tones, you and your children can play a variety of songs and melodies.

Children's Twin Kalimba

The Twin Kalimba can be played by two people at the same time. This means there are no limits to creativity and an extraordinary sound experience. To play the twin kalimba, the two little "musicians" stand opposite each other and create beautiful sounds with their thumbs. On each side there are nine sound tongues that are identical to each other. The Children's Twin Kalimba suitable for improvised melodies.