I have a 2 year old god-daughter, and her parents, whilst not musicians, both love music, and are keen to give her a head start. They're planning on getting a keyboard in the near future; now whilst she is far too young for lessons, I was wondering whether anyone knew of good books DVD's/CD's that were suitable for mother and child - to encourage a love of music/musical games etc? I want to be able to support them starting her early, but am well aware that there is much controversy about doing too much, too young. Any expert advice?

I am not claiming this to be expert advice, but personally, I would get a keyboard and just let her fiddle around on it and have fun. No other purchases necessary

I think that it is a little too early for a keyboard. I suggest some easy to hold percussion instruments; a shaker, a small tambourine, (Tesco's have some lovely first percussion instruments.) a bell band and a triangle and a puppet or two as well. Then teach her lots of nursery rhymes, get some sing along CDs and have fun singing and playing and getting a feel of time, pitch and rhythm that way.

Have you considered a Music class - nothing too formal at this stage but a weekly class with other like-minded children and adults will give you a way in in a fun and relaxed environment.

A good music class will engage the children in lots of activities such as instrument playing (again I'm thinking it's way too early for a keyboard, but never too early to shake maracas, or tap a tambourine or triangle), keep them moving to lots of action songs to really inspire and develop rhythm, and give you lots of ideas for things to do at home. Plus it's a good opportunity for socialisation with others of a similar age, and all the associated social skills that brings.

From that you can gently feel your way in, so that when the time is right you can make an informed decision about starting an instrument, and your little one has had the benefits of exposure to music in a fun context.

I took my two to music classes whn they were little, now both play instruments very well and are very sociable - there's no way of proving it's as a direct result of their classes, but I'm not going to argue against! I gave up my primary teaching job to run music classes such as I have described above, and cannot recommend highly enough for any parent.

50 years ago, an HMI of my acquaintance encapsulated the way to provide the elements of child rearing that were already only patchily provided, though I suspect things are even worse nowadays:

"Talk to your baby.
Play with your baby.
Sing to your baby."

This applies to fathers also. Could these parents learn to sing rounds?

What about musicwithmummy.co.uk ?
One of my students runs these classes and another attends them with her toddlers - they are very popular and fun.

- perhaps with the addition of a small xylophone.

I'm not sure about music classes. One of mine sons did formal pre-school music such as has been described by other posters, and one didn't. They are both equally musical, except that the one who did plays better by ear and the one who didn't is a better sight-reader. Hard to say whether it's nature or nurture. But if this child isn't going to have much music exposure elsewhere, it can only be to her benefit.

I didn't think that direct advertising was allowed on here?
If it is can I recommend you also look into Jo Jingles, which is the leading provider of pre-school and toddler music classes in the UK and Ireland

If you are referring to my post, I am not direct advertising. I have nothing whatever to do with Music with Mummy - I have just heard of it through my students. It's no different to others recommending music shops, Hofnote or anything else with which they have no connection. Or are you connected with Jo Jingles, considering your user name??

I did Musical Tots with little Jen, and it's just great fun for them. Bit hard on the old ears with all those percussion instruments though

The Early Learning Centre used to do tapes of nursery rhymes etc in my day - presumbly now there are CDs etc with singalong "Wheels on the Bus", "Old Macdonald" etc which are the staple fare of numerous mother & toddler groups and are some of the best introductions to music as well as the other aural skills which help with learning to read etc. Persussion instruments to shake and bang are perfect for this age group and for picking up rhythmic awareness. There are also children's CDs with stories with classical music accompaniments - I seem to recall things like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. (We also used to collect a monthly magazine, called "Music Box" or something similar which came with a tape of a somewhat clunky adventure story, accompanied by Vivaldi or Holst). You never really know what a two-year-old is going to latch onto as their favourite! Wasn't there a cartoon called "Ludwig" once? Or Classic FM "Music for Babies" which might become part of the bedtime routine...

Hi, sorry, can't use the quotes feature, but this is in response to Ann C. I don't come on here very often, so am not really up to speed with who and what is and isn't allowed to be named or not named etc, and I normally read rather than post. I just thought I'd post on this subject as it's close to my heart. I'll think I'll stick to the reading in future!
I run my own independent music classes, very small and localised to where I live, but took my own children to Jo Jingles before we moved here, which I thought was great and would take some beating, and clearly is in my humble opinion the Marks and Spencers (other stores are available) of its kind. Buying my own franchise was not for me, hence I do what I do the way I do it. And my user name is not connected at all, although easy to see where you made that assumption, that's a long story dating back to schooldays. The beauty of the pseudoynm!
Just to clarify!

Thanks for that, JinglyB.
Another idea - I was speaking to a friend in Surrey last night, who is a child minder, and she takes the children to Music Monkeys. Apparently they have a big website, but with student concert on Saturday, haven't had time to research it.

Most of my colleagues' children go to Music Monkeys; the parents seem to like it and recommend to each other. (I don't have any direct experience, though.)