Last term our theme was le spectacle - the show - and you certainly can’t have a show without music! We had a lot of fun learning the words for musical instruments, and we have a super cute printable to help you out with it - get your free download to help teach your toddler French here.
If you really want to get into the mood, how about making some instruments of your own? It’s a great way to practice the French vocabulary, plus a fun accompaniment to singing. In our French class for preschoolers, we like the song Les musiciens which is available as part of our video library. It's a fun French version of the song The Music Man, if you’re familiar with that one, and involves lots of instruments and their sounds. Below you’ll find a few ideas to get you started!
Every aspiring singer-songwriter needs une guitare, and the cardboard box rubber band guitar is a classic. In fact, I think this must be a childhood craft rite of passage or something. I totally remember making one (kleenex box, rubber bands, paper towel roll) when I was little, and I made one with my son a few years ago when he was younger. This round up by Ashley from Make It & Love It features ten ways to make a cardboard guitar - who knew there were so many options!
How about adding a bit of brass to the mix with une trompette - a trumpet! This cardboard tube toy trumpet from Tea Time Monkeys looks pretty cool and is a great way to put to use those spare toilet paper rolls that you’ve been collecting (or is that just me?).
You don’t want to forget the percussion (or your earplugs). Add some rhythm with un tambour - a drum - or even a whole drum kit - une batterie - if you’re feeling more ambitious. You can start with this simple five minute drum from Red Ted Art or get a bit crazy and make a whole set using different sized cans - coffee cans, Pringles cans, whatever.
Now, if you’re worried about your little one and sharp edges, you can get yourself a safety can opener. First of all, who knew this even was a thing - I had no idea. Second of all, I’ve always wanted one of these even though I didn’t even know it existed, so I am super excited and am going to order one right after I finish writing this. And lastly, I think it’s a great idea whether you’re making crafts or not - those sharp can edges can really slice deep, so this just eliminates that risk entirely.
Now I’m about to go off on a tangent here...since we’re on the topic of homeware that you never really knew that you needed, but that you do in fact totally need, I will suggest my two best purchases of this year so far - they have been game changers! First was the ionic shower head. The water in London is really hard and when I replaced the shower head, I can feel a difference. I'm not going to get into the science and how it works, but it definitely leaves my skin and hair feeling better after a shower than previously. I fully recommend it if you live in an area with hard water - believe the hype. I have even actually gifted two of these, and we’re only a third of the way through the year! My second recommendation is a cordless vacuum cleaner. I have never been so excited about a vacuum cleaner, not even that circular robot one, which initially seems exciting but mostly just bumps about into all the furniture and gets stuck, eating the cables strewn across the floor. This one seriously makes the whole business so much easier - spot cleaning, after mealtimes, whatever. It has attachments, it’s lightweight, cordless, rolls around easily, and it’s purple. OK, so that last one won’t appeal to everyone but seriously this is the sexiest vacuum I’ve ever had. I hadn’t even realised that a vacuum could be sexy, but there ya go. And since I got mine, my mom has got one too and loves it. It’s that good!
So anyhow, let us know if you make your own instruments. Even better, we'd love to see them - upload a pic on Insta or the Facebook and tag us @lespetitstigres so we can check out your creations. Or if you life has been significantly improved by any of the recommended items above, feel free to let us know about that, too!