Since the focus of these music making activities is listening to the music, is it important to think about how you will play the sound before beginning the activity. It may be that you are playing the videos and audio tracks through your TV which has adjustable volume, or you are using a phone/tablet with a speaker.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the volume control of whatever sound system you are using so that you can control the volume depending on your child’s needs and be ready to adapt quickly.
Here are a few ways which you could listen to the music:
Through a TV
Through a tablet, phone or laptop
Through a portable Bluetooth speaker
A Hi-Fi system
Ideally, to get the most out of the music, a portable Bluetooth speaker is the best option as it can move around the room easily with you and your child and the volume can easily be adjusted. Additionally, these speakers tend to be higher quality than many phone, tablet and laptop speakers which will allow you and your child to listen to the highest quality audio and make the most out of the sessions.
You may also want to think about what is appropriate for the size of the room. For example, if you are in a large room with lots of reflective surfaces, using your phone or tablet on a loud volume may be overwhelming and displeasing. If you are in a small and confined space, a large speaker or hi-fi system may also be overwhelming, and a phone or tablet may be more appropriate. Some children may also feel more comfortable using ear defenders to help them cope with the volume and this may also help to cancel out the effects of a large, reverberant room.
Headphones are not ideal to use, as these do not create a collaborative environment and isolate you from your child during the session. If possible, always try and use some sort of speaker to ensure you are both able to participate in the session together.
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