Are you looking for a creative and fun activity that supports the development of your child’s physical, social, and cognitive skills? Well, you should consider music. Whether listening to your favourite songs, dancing to the beat, or learning to play an instrument, music is a great way to socialize, share emotions, release tension, and calm down.

Even more so when it comes to playing an instrument: such a creative and stimulating activity favours the development of multitasking and problem-solving attitude. But how to support a child’s first steps in the magical world of seven notes? Try the Learn With Lights method, devised by Hape to offer an immediate and intuitive approach to music.

The Ukulele Learn With Lights offers two progressive ways of use. In the Learning mode, your child can concentrate on the single notes, repeating the six songs proposed step by step. Once they have gained more confidence and skills, they can progress to Band mode, a more satisfying and advanced level.

Let’s find out more about this amazing toy instrument.

Sing, dance, play and share your passion for music

We have talked more than once about the importance of music in children’s development. Among other things, music strengthens the parent-child relationship. Despite belonging to different generations, they can love the same genres, songs, and artists. Parents have the great responsibility to educate their children to listen, laying the foundations for a shared musical culture.

Science and experience agree that loving the same songs to sing out loud in the car or dance barefoot on the carpet is like exchanging declarations of mutual affection and esteem. In other words, it helps strengthen the bond among friends, siblings, but also between parents and children.

Even more so if, instead of simply passively listening to the radio, you play or dance around. When coordinating to play or dance at the same rhythm, people tune to the same wavelength. Not only will you increase your happiness by sharing the same emotion, but you will better understand the moods of others.

Play with your children or give them an instrument

Listening, dancing, or playing music with your children are powerful ways to develop empathy and coordination. If you can play an instrument, involving your child and playing it together could support an even tighter bond. But even if you are not a musician, do not worry: the important thing is the desire to share your passions with the little ones. Make them listen to the records of your favourite artists and show that you enjoy their favourite songs by singing and dancing together.

And maybe introduce them to the world of seven notes with a special gift like Hape’s Ukulele Learn with Lights available with a blue or red shell. The Ukulele, designed for kids 3+, offers different levels of involvement and challenge. The little ones will have fun simply strumming and producing sounds with the strings, while the older or more skilled ones can practice just as if they were in a real rock band.

Ukulele: Learn With Lights or Rock ‘n’ Roll

The entire line of Hape toy musical instruments offers an intuitive and immediate approach to stimulate budding musicians. Thanks to the Learn With Lights method, anyone can learn to play by following the coloured lights and become an amazing musician in no time. Small and light, the Learn With Lights Ukulele comes with a comfortable handle for easy transport.

The line includes the Learn With Lights series in red and blue, plus the Rock ‘n’ Roll Ukulele. All three models feature eye-catching rock graphics and meet Hape’s rigorous quality and safety standards. Inside each package, you will find an instruction booklet, spare strings, and a set of stickers. Sticking them in the positions corresponding to the notes will facilitate learning the songs in the attached manual.

In addition, the Learn With Lights Ukulele is also equipped with batteries to power the lights that accompany your child in the magical world of music. Thanks to this method, learning how to play Ukulele will become easier. Let’s find out the two modes of use of this instrument: Learning Mode and Band Mode.

Learn With Lights: learn to play the intuitive way

The Learn With Lights Ukulele features three buttons. One of these allows you to switch from one mode of use to another, while the other two have different functions.

  • When in Learning Mode, the first button allows you to switch from one song to another. The other button is for setting the volume between two different levels. Follow the lights on the Ukulele neck and learn how to play the six songs available.
  • Once you become familiar with the Ukulele, you can switch to Band Mode, a faster and more engaging way to play that adds up accompanying instruments. It will feel like playing in a real band: your kid will improve their sense of rhythm and musical ear.

Let’s learn about Ukulele: history and fun facts

A stringed instrument similar to a small guitar, the Ukulele was created in Hawaii in 1879. Its invention is due to a group of expert Portuguese luthiers who arrived on these Pacific Islands with another 20,000 immigrants to work in the sugar cane fields. The Ukulele took inspiration from two traditional Portuguese instruments. Its typical 8-shape reminds that of a small acoustic guitar. Forms and materials may vary, though: usually, the Ukulele is made out of wood, but there are also variants in plastic, laminate, or plywood. The size and number of cords also vary: customarily, there are 4, but there are versions with three or four double strings. The six-string model is called guitalele.

Beloved and very popular in Polynesia since the end of the 19th century, the Ukulele is commonly associated with the music of Hawaii. This small stringed instrument enjoyed widespread international success in the early 1900s. Later it fell into oblivion and got back to vogue thanks to many rock and pop musicians, who decided to include its unique sound in various arrangements.

One last curiosity: in the traditional Hawaiian language, the word Ukulele means leaping flea. According to the legend, Hopping Flea was the nickname of Edward Purvis, a restless and minute English officer of the king Kalākaua, who was particularly fond of this instrument. He played it so often that people began to give it his name. Since then, Mr. Hopping Flea’s instrument became Ukulele. Besides, the finger’s movement plucking the strings can remind a flea to jump from one string to another.

Learn to play at any age: why the Ukulele?

If you or your child are not familiar with the world of seven notes, the Ukulele can be an excellent choice. This Hawaiian mini guitar is probably the easiest instrument for newbies to learn. Furthermore, it can be the first step towards other stringed instruments.

In other words, would you like your kid to become a guitarist, a bassist, or – why not – a violinist? Get them started with the Ukulele. It is a fun and low-priced musical instrument that requires virtually no maintenance (apart from the occasional change of the strings). With an affordable expense and minimal effort, the Ukulele will get your child hooked on music. This constructive entertainment will support intellectual, psycho-emotional, and motor development.

Besides, thanks to Hape’s Learn With Lights method, your child can learn to play on their own. However, later on, a music teacher could sustain their progress. Being able to count on your presence will also strongly support their motivation.

It does not matter how old you are when you decide to start your musical journey. Whether you are 3, 30, or 60, the only things that matter are the effort you are willing to make and the happiness music gives you. Help your child enter the world of music with this brilliant tool for learning to play while having fun!