Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2018 Issue
Music can spark many positive emotions and reactions in children. It can encourage them to dance, positively change their mood, tap into their creative side, and create an environment of relaxation. The benefits are countless. Music is a meaningful component of children’s development. Studies have shown that music can develop fine motor skills, help with language skills, and improve one’s overall IQ. Here are a few music-based apps that can help incorporate more music into kids’ day-to-day routines.
Auxy Studio
(Free – iOS)
Making music is a fantastic, creative experience. This free app takes complex music tools and makes them accessible to everyone. The app comes loaded with more than 50 unique sounds and drum kits. Each sound has a set of carefully crafted effects and custom controls for tuning it just right. All the controls can be automated over time for perfect mix control. Beats and melodies can be created with the loop editor and exported by tapping and dragging on the screen.
Easy Music
(Paid – iOS)
Aimed at students ages 5 and up, Easy Music is an accessible introduction to music theory for children. Animated characters teach students to recognize notes, pitch, melody, and rhythm. After achieving an understanding of the basics, students can begin composing their own music, with a colourful rainbow piano.
Kapu Bloom Tunes
(Paid – iOS, Android)
Kapu Bloom Tunes is a peaceful, creative app, as it blends music and fingerpainting on the screen. Children trace their fingers on the garden scene to make melodies, while also sprouting a plant that will sing nursery rhymes.
My First Classical Music App
(Paid – iOS)
My First Classical Music App is a great interactive introduction to classical music for students aged 4 and above. The app is full of information on where music comes from, who writes it, and what different instruments sound like. Tap words and pictures to hear the narration, snippets of classical music, sound effects from colourful animal-themed animations, and fun facts about instruments and classical musicians. The variety of music includes Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Mozart’s Magic Flute, and Williams’ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, among much more.
Rhythm Swing
(Paid – iOS)
With engaging animation, the Rhythm Swing app helps elementary students develop their rhythm skills. The beginning levels teach students to keep a steady beat and the more advanced levels incorporate a variety of notes and rests within the rhythm patterns. Each level has a brief instructional video that explains the new rhythm. Students can view and listen to short musical phrases, and then practice their skills.
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