Reading the Music Tree to children can be a great interactive activity and can be followed up with music and a little 'music therapy.' Look out for the possum in the tree as you read the story...Have a collection of instruments from the tree, it’s amazing what kinds of things can make noises, from saucepan lids to milk cartons filled with beads.

Build your own Music Tree. Select a suitable sturdy tree in the yard, or construct one using a large branch anchored in a large bin full of sand. You could even use a washing line if you don't have any kind of tree! Children can bring 'instruments' from home such as saucepan lids, pans, metal dishes, spoons, bits of pipe...in fact anything that makes a noise as long as it is not breakable.

Children can take turns making their own music. This could be a reward or even creative time out for an exuberant and energetic child. A little positive Music Therapy.

Make your own musical instruments. Children can make their own musical instruments. For example, shakers made from plastic bottles filled with dried peas or similar. Make sure you seal the lid safely with tape. guitars can be made by cutting a hole in a cereal box and stretching rubber bands of different thickness over the box.

Experiment with sound. Fill glasses of the same type and shape with different amounts of water. Observe the changes in sound... how does the amount of water change the note? Can you play a tune?

Create an artistic Music Tree collage. Collect leaves from various sources. Draw the outline fo a tree trunk and branches onto a large sheet of paper. Attach to wall. Children can use paint to fill in the trunk, then stick on the leaves. Children can then draw or colour in pictures of various things that might be found in a Music Tree.

Explore the different categories of musical instruments in an orchestra.

Percussion: drums, tambourines, shakers etc

Woodwind: flute, piccolo, whistle

Brass: trumpet, trombone, saxophone

Strings: violin, viola, cello

If possible bring in examples of these.

Your local high school or primary school may have a band or choir. See if you can arrange a visit.

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