Mackenzie listening to music on her Muji CD Player

I was introduced to the Muji CD player by my friend Seiko, during my Montessori training. It was an expensive purchase but really worth it. It’s nice to look at, compact and easy to operate – pull the string once to start, pull again to stop (see video below).

If you purchase it, make sure your children have developed good impulse control. Then give them several clear demonstrations on how to use it. Just a warning, they may break it. The way I see it, everything I prepare in our environment ultimately belongs to the children and I’m prepared for accidents. Besides if it breaks, they are the ones who really experience the consequence.

As you can see in the picture, each CD is labeled with a picture of an instrument: harp, guitar, cello and violin. On the CD, I’ve included music of the corresponding instrument. This way, they can choose which instrument they want to listen to and begin to recognize the sound that instrument makes. They definitely prefer string over woodwind, though they are warming to brass instruments. I love the independence this little machine gives them. They can now play music anytime they want and not a day will go by without a little classical music in our household.

Never underestimate what the youngest children can and will appreciate – their love for music, art and beauty never ceases to astound and inspire me.

A couple weeks ago, Evan Mahl – M.D. by day, rockin’ musician by night – came to play the harmonica for us. Watch how his music inspires Sebastian, 18-months old:

If you’ve been following me on Facebook, you know I host live music concerts for the neighborhood kids in my home. So far, we’ve had several violinists, violist, guitarist and pianist come to play for us. It’s an hour of live music, where children can play and listen. I ask the musicians to play 1-2 children’s song, but mostly, they play real music, classical, jazz, rock whatever they’re best at. And if we’re lucky, the musician will allow the kids to touch their instrument. They get a kick out of it! If you are a musician or know of a musician who may be interested in playing for us, please email me directly at stephanie@stephaniewoo.com. Cellist, drummers, flutist, harmonica-player or any other instruments are welcomed!

Here are some pictures from our last couple concerts.

Luella (18 months) finds a chair next to the musician Erik as he plays

Rock musician, Erik, lets Brooke touch his guitar

Jette (17 months) is captivated by the music

Beth, from Janus Trio, lets Vivienne (18 months) touch the strings on her viola

The kids loved SunYoung, an amazing violinist

Brooke and Patrick, the keyboardist, exchange looks

“Really? I can touch this?” says M.