EIGHT-NOTE COMBI BELLS SET TTS
AGE RANGE:Three years plus PRICE:21.50 CONTACT: 0800 318686 www.tts-shopping.com
Each of these metal bells has note names clearly marked. They can be played conventionally or by tapping the top like desk bells.
Tested by Mayfield Kindergarten, Ilfracombe, Devon 'A wonderful set of bells and the children loved them. They are versatile, as they can be shaken or pressed, and they also reinforce colour and letter learning. Best of all, the children had great fun. Children with physical disabilities find them easy to hold and although the age range given is for children over three we have used them, under close supervision, with children as young as 18 months. We strongly recommend this set.'
*****
DRUM XYLOPHONE KIDS PLAY AGE RANGE:Three years plus PRICE:14.99 CONTACT: 0121 766 7561 www.kidsplaymusic.co.uk
This is two instruments in one and a shape sorter. Shapes and letters that fit into the side of the drum are stored in a compartment under the drum.
There are six song cards and a beater.
Tested by childminder Renee Phillips-Gall, Neath 'It is good for motor skills as the children needed to concentrate to fit the shapes into the drum. However, the shapes did not stay in place and the children soon became bored. Our three-year-olds liked banging the drum and the four-year-olds enjoyed the xylophone. The older children were able to identify the colours on the song cards which correspond to the colours on the xylophone. However, if they didn't hold the beater correctly they didn't get the right sound. I think there are similar but better items on the market.'
**
MINIBEASTS AND PEOPLE WHO HELP US OUT OF THE ARK AGE RANGE:4 - 7 PRICE:Pounds 16.95 each, for CD and song book CONTACT: 01932 232250 www.outoftheark.com
Included on the first CD are 12 original songs about slugs, bees, spiders, caterpillars, snails and bluebottles, intended as a topic-based resource.
The second features 12 songs created to help children learn about a variety of people, 'from the postman to the lollipop person and the plumber to the teacher'.
Tested by Little Gems Nursery, Petherton, Somerset 'We have been doing the topic of Life Cycles and had just moved on to the garden when the Minibeasts CD arrived, so it fitted well with our planning.
We usually concentrate on chickens, tadpoles and caterpillars but this CD encouraged the children's interest in insects. We had some wonderful movements and pretend mini beasts each time we played it. The children ask for it regularly and we also used the book for singing at music time.'
JJJJ 'The second CD didn't seem to hold the children's attention as Minibeasts had done and they didn't really get into the re-enactment of roles so we feel it has limited use. No one has asked us to play it again. It might be possible to raise the interest level when doing a relevant topic.'
**
WOODEN PERCUSSION SET FINE SOLUTIONS AGE RANGE:3 - 5 PRICE:27.45 CONTACT: 0115 989 9300 www.finesolutions.co.uk
This is a set of six instruments and the company is currently also including two free butterfly castanets (normally 1.95 each).
Tested by Whitehall Infant School Nursery, Uxbridge, Middlesex 'The children found them easy to manipulate and enjoyed using them. They provided opportunities for recognising and producing sounds as well as hearing and beginning to use the rich vocabulary that comes with this. The different colours of the pieces also provided stimulation. They are quite good value, as they should last a long time. However, you do not get a lot for your money. Overall, I would say this was a good product, but I thought some of the instruments were a bit dull (the woodblock, in particular) and the sound quality not the best.'
***
SMALL HANDS KIT NES ARNOLD AGE RANGE:12 months plus PRICE:114.95 CONTACT: 0845 1204525 www.nesarnold.co.uk
This is intended as a first introduction to percussion instruments. It contains two pairs of maracas, two handbells, five sets of castanets, two tambourines, two slide whistles, one jingle stick, one pair of piccolo claves, one wood tone block with beater, one 15cm and one 20 cm triangle.
The kit is supplied with a plastic storage box.
Tested by Ashbrow Children's Centre, Huddersfield 'We usually like to buy equipment made from natural products rather than plastic but after testing these we would definitely consider buying them.
The children were attracted to the eye-catching colours and found all the instruments very easy to manipulate. They are also very easy to keep clean, an important issue when small children tend to put all the instruments in their mouths. They encourage listening as well as playing skills and the children also learned the names of the different instruments. We found them useful for children with speech and language impairment in helping to develop sound and word recognition. A very good value-for-money product.
*****
PRE-SCHOOL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS GALT AGE RANGE:Three years plus PRICE:Pounds 54.95 CONTACT: 08451 203005 www.galt-educational.co.uk
The set is intended for use with up to ten children. It includes one pair of mini maracas, one pair of cymbals, two jingle bells, one triangle, one tambourine, one castanet, one set of handbells, one tone block and one handled drum.
Tested by Trinity Lodge Nursery, Teignmouth, Devon
'When we first opened the box there seemed to be too few instruments for the price, but the children have thoroughly enjoyed them and they are a resource which will be used over and over again. They encouraged the children to share as they were all keen to have a go with each instrument.
Knowledge was extended with discussions about bands and orchestras and everyone wanted a turn at being conductor. Responses from the children included 'Listen to this lovely noise, it reminds me of fairies' (when playing the triangle) and 'Like a soldier' from a small boy marching around beating the drum. Two boys enjoyed co-operating together by taking one cymbal each and clashing them together.'
***
MUSIC BAG AND FIRST CLASS 28 INSTRUMENT SET ASCO AGE RANGE:Three years plus PRICE:168 CONTACT 0113 2707070 www. ascoeducational.co.uk
The bag is made from PVC and measures 95 x 70cm. It folds and closes with Velcro straps for easy mobility and features two holes which allow it to be displayed on wall hooks. The instrument set includes tambour, tambourine, jingle ring, two wooden claves, two pairs of maracas, two pairs of castanets, a triangle, two jingles, one pair of cymbals, two pairs of finger cymbals, a two-tone block, a one-tone block, a glockenspiel, five swanee whistles and five kazoos.
Tested by Hyde'n'Seek Nursery, Glasgow 'We put the bag on the wall, which allowed the children to choose their own instrument. This encouraged them to experiment and there was a lot of discussion about the names of instruments and the sounds each made. The bag is well made and of excellent quality. The instruments allowed one child with moderate hearing difficulties to engage in music- making through vibration and rhythm. The children's pleasure could be summed up in one comment: 'The bells sound like Christmas.'
****
