My First Music-Making
Use a wooden spoon or other simple beater to tap pots, bowls, and cups. Your baby can grasp, strike, listen, and create a first playful performance.
- 6 months
- Some prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Cognitive：Tapping objects made from different materials gives your baby direct experience producing and comparing several sounds.
- Movement：Grasping a spoon or drumstick and directing it toward an object gives your baby practice using hand strength and control.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Simple kitchenware, such as a pot, bowl, cup, wooden spoon, spatula, or drumstick
Step 1
Listen to the Kitchen Sounds
Place the objects in front of your baby and tap two together, such as a wooden spoon on a pot. If the sound catches their attention, guide their hand through one gentle tap so they can hear the result again.
What to notice
- Notices that tapping a spoon on a pot makes a sound
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning) - Smiles or vocalizes after making a sound
Emotional Functioning
Tips
- Your baby may first pat and touch the objects with empty hands. Give them time to explore before offering the spoon.
- If your baby is watching a different object, tap that one softly and see whether the new sound draws their attention.
Step 2
Let Your Baby Try
Once the tapping action is familiar, let your baby hold the wooden spoon and try independently. If grasping or aiming is difficult, guide the hand for a few turns or move the target closer.
What to notice
- Holds a spoon steadily in the palm
Fine Motor - Looks toward you after making a sound independently
Relationships with Adults
Tips
- If a missed tap leads to frustration, offer a cuddle and a calm response before another attempt.
- Because #PMP-FiM is still developing, the spoon may wobble or fall after a short hold.
- When a tap makes a sound, respond immediately so your baby can connect the action and result.
Step 3
A Little Kitchen Concert
Invite your baby to tap different objects and different places on each object. Let them create a small concert while you stay nearby, listen, and respond to the sounds they discover.
What to notice
- Taps more than one object and listens to the different sounds
Exploration and Discovery - Holds a utensil and taps a pot or bowl Fine Motor
Tips
- Echo a new sound with a simple vocal pattern, such as “ding-ding” or “boom-boom.”
- Describe the exact result: “You tapped the bowl, and it went ding!”
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026