A family engagement activity for preschool and early childhood: piano at home
A family engagement activity families can repeat at home
A family night is a great start. Level 1 also gives families something to keep doing at home. It is built around a 10–15 minute parent–child routine: sit side by side at a piano or keyboard, sing, listen, tap a rhythm and play. The parent learns right alongside the child, and no music background is needed.
It works for PreK classrooms, Head Start-style programs, Title I family engagement plans, elementary schools and libraries, anywhere the goal is getting parents and young children ages 3–6 learning together.
Ways schools and programs can use it
Take-home kits
Send a book home with a family for a set number of weeks. The pages wipe clean, so the next family starts fresh.
Family music night
Invite families to sit with their child at the keyboards, work through one page together, and leave with the routine to keep doing at home.
PreK and early childhood classrooms
Teach a page in class, then send it home so families repeat the same activity for 10–15 minutes a day.
Library circulating kit
Libraries can lend the book with markers as a parent–child activity, paired with a keyboard where one is available.
One thing families need: access to an acoustic piano or a full-size keyboard. If many of your families don't have one, plan the activity around keyboards at school, at the library or at a family night.
What a 10–15 minute session at home looks like
- Listen and copy. On a Sing & Play page such as Hot Cross Buns, the parent sings and plays, and the child echoes it back.
- Look and play. On a Look & Play page, match the picture to the keyboard and count up or down.
- Feel the rhythm. Tap Hot Cup of Tea on the closed lid first, then play it.
- Celebrate. The child circles what they finished or draws a smiley face, then wipes the page clean for next time.
The full routine, with tips for parents, is on my 10–15 minute parent–child routine page. Educators planning lessons can use the free sample lesson plan on the preschool music curriculum page.
Copies for your school, program or library
Request a quote for 10 or more copies for take-home kits, a family night or a lending collection. To review one copy first, order a single book.
Payment due before production. School purchasing cards accepted.
The quote button opens an email to me at wfsimpleteacher@gmail.com. Include your name, organization, number of copies, ship-to city and state, and the date you need them, and I'll reply with a quote.
Music teachers with a private studio can see preschool piano teachers. Homeschool families and co-ops can see homeschool piano lessons.
Questions schools and programs ask
What are good family engagement activities for preschool?
Look for activities parents and children can do together at home, in short sessions, that don't require the parent to be an expert. A 10–15 minute parent–child piano routine, like the one in Toddler Piano Book, fits: the parent sings, listens, taps rhythms and plays alongside the child.
How can a school use this for a family music night?
Set up keyboards, seat each family with their child, and work through one page together, such as Hot Cross Buns on a Sing & Play page. Families leave knowing the routine and can keep doing it at home.
Can Title I family engagement funds be used for this?
Whether a purchase fits your Title I family engagement budget is your school's decision. I can send a written quote you can share with your office.
Do you accept purchase orders?
No. Payment is due before production, because I print each order after it is paid. School purchasing cards are accepted.
Do families need a piano at home?
They need an acoustic piano or a full-size keyboard. If families don't have one, plan sessions where keyboards are available, such as school, the library or a family night.
Will I need any other materials?
Yes, two things. First, a metronome. I recommend a wind-up (mechanical) metronome. If you don't have one, free phone apps or web metronome apps work, for the sound only. Second, something to clean off the dry-erase marker writing.
How much do 10 or more copies cost?
Bulk orders are quoted per order. Tap “Request a quote for 10+ copies” and send your name, organization, number of copies, ship-to city and state, and the date you need them, and I'll reply with a quote. A single copy is $129.