Ethan is trying out several instruments in his young life.

In July, we were impressed when he learned to blow into his recorder and make a tone. I guess we won’t be giving him a straw to drink from anytime too soon. He’ll probably blow bubbles rather than drink from it! (Cheap recorders are only 88 cents at Wal-mart.)

Two weeks ago my Uncle Wayne brought him a “canjo” to try out. It is handmade by my uncle and this one is a mini-sized version, just Ethan’s size. It is a simple instrument with one string, ideal for introducing anyone to a stringed instrument. If Uncle Wayne has his way, Ethan will be playing bluegrass! Click here to visit my uncle’s website.

Ethan has also been trying out the bongos. My mom gave me a set when I was teaching, and since Ethan has come along, I’ve played around on them more than ever! Ethan has always shown us, “I’ve got rhythm” — he bops with just about anything that has a beat. Some of the first items: the washing machine and even the sound of me filing my nails!

And of course, there’s the piano. He goes to the piano on his own and expresses he wants the lid open “to play.”

Just as it is important for children to be exposed and to discover their own interests (as opposed to those of their parents), it’s important for children to be exposed to different instruments and sounds. When I was in elementary school and choosing a band instrument, my mother hoped I’d play the clarinet, but I wanted to play the flute. What won my mother over was watching a Miss America Pageant together on TV where one of the contestants played the flute. (I’m still not a great fan of the clarinet.)

Who knows if Ethan will be a musician or if he is, what he’ll play or what kind of music he’ll play. Maybe he’ll even be a dancer! His Sunday School teacher commented on his “tap dancing” last Sunday.