Although most children are not ready to start formal music lessons at this age it is always good to introduce them to the notion of making music with instruments. Even a simple toy xylophone or piano can be useful and fun. The younger children in this age-range may not play tunes but they will begin to experiment with the sounds that different instruments make. You can also make some simple instruments at home. This is inexpensive and great fun - especially if you get your child to help.

• A great way to have fun on a hot summer's day is to play with bottles and water to produce varying sounds
  
• If you play indoors you may want to play on a plastic sheet
  
• Find three or four empty glass bottles, e.g. milk bottles
  
• Fill each bottle with a different amount of water
  
• Let your child hit the rim of the bottles with a desert spoon or similar, while you supervise
  
• You will both notice that the more you fill the bottle, the lower the sound!
  
• Play each in turn and you may get an interesting 'tune'