When my baby was about 7 to 8 months old, we’d sit together on a soft blanket in the living room and introduce this wooden-and-metal drum set. At that age, she wasn’t walking or standing steadily yet, so the only way to play was sitting side by side. I’d show her how to tap the drum “tap tap,” guiding her little hand to use the stick gently. At first, the sounds were tentative — a clink or soft knock — but she watched so intently, her eyes lighting up every time a tone emerged.
Slowly, she’d reach out, grasp the stick, and try her own taps, sometimes missing or hitting the rim, producing unexpected pitches. But every time she made a sound, her face would break into a huge grin. The wood felt warm, the metal parts mellow, and the instrument never felt overwhelming to her delicate ears.
We’d play together for 5–10 minutes each day, me beside her, gently encouraging and sometimes pausing when she tired. Over weeks, I noticed her grasping and motor control improve, and she started responding rhythmically — sometimes tapping back when I drummed. For me, those moments were pure magic — an early musical bond between us, all from sitting together and making noise.