The implications of play experiences for children’s education and training are enormous. Harnessing the power of well-designed games to achieve specific learning goals means that the little ones are highly motivated to achieve the skills required in each case.

Recovering the concept of ” the pleasure of learning ” through games is increasingly a common goal in the field of pedagogy and teaching, where there are already many followers of learning based on digital applications. In past articles we have reviewed some of the most popular digital educational tools for learning to read and write , as well as getting started with math . Today is the turn of another equally important field during early childhood: music .

Music is transcendental in the early stages of life because it generates sensory experiences that allow children to recognize their bodies and their multiple possibilities of movement. It also strengthens language development, thanks to rhymes and songs, while the body expressions that accompany those songs become elements that strengthen coordination and the relationship between sound and movement. Here we show you some of the most outstanding educational applications that will help our children get started in this world.

Little Fox Music Box

It is a little gem. Designed by artist Heidi Wittlinger , nominated for an Oscar in 2002 for the best animated short film , Little Fox Music Box (if we translate it into Spanish it would be “The Little Fox Music Box “), it has had almost a million downloads since its creation and it has been “application of the week” in more than 70 countries.

Little Fox Music Box is a very interesting tool, ideal for children from 2 to 6 years old . Supported by magnificent graphics (the illustrations are very good), the application includes 3 songs that we can listen to as we interact with the stage; They are only 3 themes, but they are presented in such a dynamic way that the little ones will not be bored in any way, since they have more than 100 interactive elements.

With Little Fox Music Box our children will learn to sing and get started with the basic notions of the music world. In addition, with the help of Little Fox, the leading fox, they will be able to record their own songs, and even accompany him in a very special orchestra. The main drawback is that it is not in Spanish, only in English and German , but any disadvantage can be turned into an opportunity, since children will be able to start practicing with English in the best possible way: singing.

Little Fox Music Box costs € 2.99 and is available for both Android and iOS .

Play Band

This musical application will help the little ones develop musical talent and creativity, while allowing them to delve a little deeper into the world of music and everything around them. Toca Band is, in this sense, one of the most interesting applications today. Children can play with the sounds and also create their own music band with the help of fun characters.

Toca Band has 16 different characters ; each emits a particular rhythmic sound. Thus, taking into account the large number there is, the number of musical combinations is enormous. This application, which is aimed at boys and girls from 2 years of age, is ideal for them to play accompanied by their parents, who can help them in their task of exploring the world of sounds, rhythm, beats and music.

To all this we must add that the sound effects and animations are very elaborate. As our children create their songs, the scene will change with fun graphics that will keep them entertained for a long time. It should be noted that Toca Band is in a large multitude of languages, including Spanish , and that it is available only for iOS (it costs € 0.89 ).

A Jazzy Day

A Jazzy Day , which is in English and Spanish , is an application created by The Melody Book studioto facilitate musical learning in a fun and simple way for the little ones. It is an interactive book recommended for children from 3 to 8 years old .

We will meet an interactive story that tells the story of a family of cats that attends a jazz concert in New York. In this story, the little ones will be able to play and play the typical instruments of a jazz band, instruments that reproduce their real sounds, in acoustic, originally performed by professional American musicians . Available instruments include, but are not limited to, the guitar, trumpet, saxophone, piano, drums, or double bass.

This application is not cheap – it currently costs € 4.99 – but it is worth it, because it is very complete. It was recently ranked among the top 30 best sellers in the United States iTunes store .

Musical Instruments Children

Thanks to this game our children will learn the names and sounds of musical instruments while having fun. Musical Instruments Children is an educational application type Simon , where musical sequences are played and animated that the child must repeat. The game includes 32 different instruments of all kinds: wind, string, percussion, electric, etc., it has 3 levels of difficulty and, within each level, 10 phases. The good thing about the game is that a sound is added in each level and a new instrument in each phase.

With Instrumentos Musicales Niños, a tool in Spanish, designed for children from 3 to 9 years old , the little ones will learn to recognize all instruments with their hearing and sight. In addition, an added bonus is that you have the option to remove the sound -they can only be guided by the visual aspect-; in this way, they will be able to enjoy equally without disturbing the close people. It is available only for Android .

In short, music is everywhere: in a gesture, a movement, a voice, a word. These applications will allow our children to start in a field that is essential during early childhood. Children’s early experience with music will help accompany growth processes and will lead to social, emotional, and learning ties.