Puff-N-Play 25-Key Melodica

Product Description

Sensory 4

Skills

• Cause and effect relationships are established each time as a child blows into the mouthpiece while tapping the keyboard.
• Auditory attention and processing are encouraged as children play this instrument.
• Learning to play the Melodica and showing off their talent can help boost self-esteem.

Play Ideas

• Play with bubbles prior to introducing the Melodica to visually show a child how to breathe to play the Melodica. This can help reinforce the oral movement skills in an understandable and highly motivating way.

Adaptation Ideas

• Add textured material to the white keys.
• Put puff paint dots or colored round stickers on some keys.

Communicative 4

Skills

• Playing the Melodica can help train mouth function and coordination as you blow into the mouthpiece. This strengthens the muscles of the mouth that are used to speak.
• The blowing action strengthens oral muscles needed for verbal communication and self-help skills like eating.
• Individual expression can be exhibited by playing the keyboard on the Melodica.

Play Ideas

• Count out loud “1-2-3-Blow!” or “Ready, set, blow!” and have the child blow on the mouthpiece and play the keyboard.  This helps children practice patience and waiting as well as receptive language skills.
• Have children work together to play the Melodica – one person plays the keyboard and the other blows the mouthpiece. 
• Start a band with friends. Each friend can play a different instrument.

Physical 3

Skills

• Playing the Melodica can help train mouth function and coordination when blowing into the mouthpiece.  This may help children with physical limitations prepare for controlling their wheelchairs, electronic toys or accessories with sip/puff switches.
• The blowing action strengthens oral muscles needed for verbal communication and self-help skills like eating.
• Isolated finger use can be practiced as children play individual keys on the keyboard. This positively affects manual dexterity.

Play Ideas

• The child can blow into the mouthpiece and the caregiver can tap the keys on the keyboard.
• Play musical chairs and have a child start and stop playing at various times during the game. This activity allows a child who uses a wheelchair to actively participate and moreover control the game of musical chairs.
• Have children dance and move to the beat of the music being played.

Adaptation Ideas

• Attach Velcro or suction cups to the bottom of the Melodica so that it can be attached to a table or wheelchair tray. This is especially helpful for children who may have involuntary movements.
• Place non-skid shelf liner under the Melodica to help stabilize it.
• Have the child wear a winter glove with grips for a better grasp on the Melodica when using it with the strap.