Hello Educators
I introduce the transformational ‘On the Go Music Box,’ a portable solution for your childcare. It is filled with musical instruments and colorful scarves to bring movement and vibrancy into your routine. If you are new to this series, this is the fourth in a series of ten-morning routines – feel free to use these tips any time of your day. Today, I share how Dulci, a hard-cased yellow trunk I found at Goodwill, became my own ‘On the Go Music Box,’ demonstrating the joy and creativity it can bring to your home childcare routine.
Children at play using instruments from the music box.
The ‘On the Go Music Box’ offers a harmonious blend of passion and relief from the overwhelming feelings of exhaustion that often accompany managing a home daycare solo. I deeply understand these challenges; I’ve stood in your shoes. That is why I am creating everyday solutions. This creative music box can refresh your daily routine, injecting it with joy and childhood glee.
This portable box of wonders fits effortlessly into any corner of your daycare space. This isn’t just a box; it’s a reservoir of gentle, soothing musical instruments and colorful scarves designed to bring movement and vibrancy into your routine. Let me share a personal experience that illustrates its transformative power in a home daycare setting.
The Story of Dulci – Our Musical Lug-Along Box
One day, I went to Goodwill with a friend. We went in search of goodies – now if you have never been to Goodwill or any thrift store, I suggest you try it. Why? You will find treasure troves or goodies to incorporate into your daycare space. We went to Goodwill, and I spotted a hard-cased yellow trunk/suitcase. I immediately knew I had spotted the potential. It had a few stains on the neutral-colored cloth inside, but overall, it was cleaner than most, and bonus, it did not have that old attic smell.
The yellow trunk purchased from Goodwill.
It also had some pocketed areas. I prefer the kind of luggage with heavy-duty side hinges that hold the lid open until you close the lid. These are safer for children; they won’t close on their little fingers.
Image of the trunk with the safety hinges.
Let’s continue the story; I took Ducli home, washed and air-dried it, and made it an anything box. At first, it had numbers and letters inside it. I also decorated it with string lights and leaves; we use it for literacy and numbers. I revamped Dulci and used it as a container for our musical instruments. If you have a small space and are seeking a creative way to store items, consider using old luggage as your container. You can also use old picnic baskets or simple Ikea storage. Do what you like and what speaks to your soul. I love my space’s vintage, bohemian, cottage-like rustic feel, so this Dulci fits my environment.
Image of me washing the yellow suitcase I named Dulci.
Weaving Music into Your Daily Flow
Selected with care, each item—from soft jingles and mini xylophones to homemade shakers—this blend promises to fill your space with pleasant sounds and ease of use, making every day a musical adventure.
Children have access to this box during those busy mornings we have mentioned in our previous tips. What is impressive about your tug-along music box is that you can take it to every corner of your home. If your circle time is in your kitchen, you can take it there. If you have circle time in your living room, you can take it there. After you are done with your movements, you can take it back to your storage closet or in the corner of that room, or you can simply leave it out for more transitions. It becomes such an easy on-the-go tug-along musical endeavor – please try it.
Image of Dulci transported from the storage area.
Make your circle time fun again, where children get the opportunity to move, shake, and sing. I have seen where our learning is best when the children giggle and laugh. For example, when the children are learning the letters in their names, we sing their names as a song. Every child in my daycare learns their name with a song; we make up the tune or sing the melody to Bingo, a farmer in a Dell, or whatever tune – so the child will always remember spelling their name with a song. It is beautiful; that’s another tip if you have never tried it.
Do you have a handwashing song? A time to eat song? A close your mouth and chew song?
The Spontaneity of the Musical Lug Along Box
Some mornings, when I receive the children, I already know the kind of day unfolding. To set up my day for success, I change the energy of the room quick. As home childcare providers, we have to be adaptable and quick on our feet. That also means having control of our environment whenever we can. For example, instead of the children modeling that one crying child (the child whose presence is like gray clouds), I change the mood of the room with music or quickly grab the musical box. This has leveled my space a lot. The crying child is still seen and heard, but my other children do not get a chance to echo the same sounds coming from that crying child. – let’s face it, we work alone, and sometimes it takes only one child to change the entire dynamics of our day. Let’s take back that power from one child and find other ways to have joyful, happy days.
Image of the opened luggae with the contents of musical instruments and scarves.
The music box can be accompanied by a scarf box or dress-up box; if you hang your dress-up clothes, let the children have a go of it. In the early mornings, you can also set the day’s tone based on the music playing in the background. Please remember there are other genres of music than nursery rhymes. In my daycare, I love to play music without words (instrumentals), jazz, and soft reggae—any kind of clean music without curses or vulgar lyrics.
Selecting Your Instruments
We have discussed the musical box and the accompaniment of scarves, which transcends their play and sensory exploration. Now, what kinds of musical instruments are right for you? This, my providers, depends on you and the children’s preferences, tolerance, and triggers. Please be mindful of children who are sensitive to certain noises. I have special needs children in my care, and some are sensitive to certain tones.
Image of child playing instruments.
I was raised in the Caribbean and am of African descent. Drums and dance moves are rooted in my culture. My son had a drum set in our living room, and he would bang those drums, cymbals, and hard hats late evenings and early mornings. I remember having clients walk into the house with covered ears, and they usually ask me how I tolerate the noise. Yes, it was loud, but I loved that my son was playing an instrument, and it didn’t bother me.
However, when I enrolled a special needs child in my care, I noticed the child would cover her ears and cringe at the sound of the banging instruments. I then asked him not to play the drums until after the daycare kids left for the day. Your stance may differ; you may prefer chimes, rainmakers, or dull lullabies.
Image of toddler using the music box while other children build with blocks.
I recommend crafting your own music box with sounds you and the children in your daycare can tolerate in loud decibels. You can build your box a la carte, getting pieces that suit your environment rather than purchasing a complete set, which will help eliminate the common pitfall of having things trigger your nerves. This will allow the children to laugh, sing, and create marching bands without causing everyone stress.
I have instruments from my travels—some are handmade—as well as pieces from thrifting and garage sales.
Image of some musical instruments from Jamaica.
Embarking on a Journey of Musical Discovery
Childcare providers shape children’s early years experiences and development. Many times, children come into our environment from infancy. We create engaging environments and curricula and nurture each child’s growth, interests, and curiosity.
Image of morning circle time with washboard instrument, tambourine, shakers and ribbons.
Adding a musical box to your environment can help you incorporate songs, melodies, and on-the-spot jingles into your classroom circle time activities, wash hand transitions, and outdoor learning, making it fun for your mixed-age learning environment.
Your Path to a Joyful Home Child Care Operation
Music is the heartbeat of childhood exploration. Adding these simple joys will engage children in sounds, rhythms, and movements, unlocking developmental benefits. The bonus is that it may reignite your passion for early childhood education.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—or, in this case, a single note. Let the music play, dance, invent songs, use your musical box, and watch as your home daycare thrives. You’ll illuminate the faces of your little ones with smiles and fill their hearts with memories and creativity—you’ll create joyful moments. Uplevel their play by adding a karaoke box.
Image of children using the on the go music box while singing on a karaoke machine.
If you are a small home based educator with limited space, picture your daycare with less clutter. The ‘On the Go Music Box’ is not just a storage solution; it’s a reservoir of joy that can travel with you throughout your home, making every room, nook, or cranny a potential stage for a musical adventure.
Conclusion
Music and movement are powerful tools for childhood development. Simply add an on-the-go musical box -your lug-along luggage turns mundane routines into moments of joy and discovery. I encourage you to embrace these tools and customize your box to fit your unique environment and the diverse needs of the children in your care. Reminder: Your music box can be a luggage, picnic basket, or any small container that is space-efficient. Also, think how you can incorporate this wonderful idea outdoors – where your children will always have access to musical instruments.
Are you ready to rekindle your passion for early childhood education and infuse your home daycare with creativity and ease? The ‘On the Go Music Box’ is just another tip in the series of morning routines – you can substitute morning for any time of the day. For more innovative tips and heartfelt advice, subscribe to the bi-weekly newsletter. Join our dedicated home childcare providers community and transform your daycare experience together.
Subscribe and stay tuned for more inspiring tips in our series designed to support and uplift home childcare providers like you.
See our other tips designed for Home Child Care Educators:
Tip #1 Home Childcare Morning Routine Using Puzzles
Tip # 2 Home Childcare Routine Using Playdough + Loose Parts
Tip #3 Free Play in a Home Childcare – Morning Routine
Tip # 4 Transform Your Home Childcare with a Music Box (this article)
Tip # 5 Benefits of Dramatic Play: Effective Strategies for Your Home Childcare
Until next time, I am Miss Sue, your educator in the trenches with you.
xoxo Miss Sue
