Playworks sells toys that invite play and enhance early childhood development [fun for all ages]

With Labor Day approaching fast I am wondering what happened to summer. Did it slip away? Race past? Fly by? In any case, I am aware of shortening hours of day light, hear school bells ringing, and know that while we may still be sweltering in the heat, the "lazy, hazy days of summer" are nearing an end. Enjoy what's left. Farmer's markets are awash in the bounties of the season. Visit one and choose your favorite summer fruits and vegetables to savour before the season ends.

Be alert for signs of change. Soon the autumnal equinox will signal the return of shorter days and longer nights. The air will grow crisp, and we'll find ourselves stowing summer gear and digging out sweaters. Embrace the present and prepare for the future.

Making music is a universal and year-round activity capable of building bridges among people of different cultures and various ages. As a solitary pursuit or a group activity, whether we're listening or performing, music enriches our lives.

Music has the power to engage, relax, energize, and improve our intellectual and social skills. Some music relaxes our bodies and soothes our minds. Other music gets us moving: clapping our hands, tapping our toes, and dancing. We find ourselves humming a tune or singing along. While we're thoroughly engaged and enjoying ourselves, we're improving our motor skills and developing spatial intelligence. If we're sharing our musical experience with others, we're honing social skills too.

Rhythm band instruments introduce young children to the joys of making music. Latin Percussion, a leading manufacturer of percussion instruments for professionals and amateurs, adults and children alike, divides percussive instruments into four categories: drums, shakers, blocks and wood tones, and bells, jingles and whistles.

• Drums create rhythmic melodies
• Shakers articulate melodic rhythms and add shimmering, buzzing sound quality to the music.
• Blocks and wood tones create the fundamental pulse of the music, indicating meter, stress, and feel. These tap, tick, and clap sounds have been likened to a heartbeat.
• Bells and jingles are leading tones that add punctuation to a musical piece.

Back to school is a perfect time for putting out instruments, encouraging musical play and savouring the connections between play and learning. With this ~and tight budgets~ in mind, Playworks has put together a Let's Make Music Special Collection of quality children's rhythm band instruments at extraordinary prices. So, collect your instruments and let's make music.