, or grocery shopping.Encourage musical experimentsIf your child is clapping a rhythmic pattern, hitting a pot in a steady beat or singing high notes, encourage him.Listen to sounds of different instrumentsPut on varied music such as Peter And The Wolf

the Hear’Say days. She was a middle-class girl who had studied at the Royal Academy of Music, he was the band’s bodyguard who, as a teenager, had fled heroin possession charges in his native Dublin. After meeting Myleene, he returned to face the music

.Set the sceneA favourite story, TV programme or cartoon character can provide the ideal catalyst for budding dramatists. Alternatively, try introducing your children to a famous painting and get them to re-enact the story that might lie behind it.Get musical

New London Style by Chloe Grimshaw (Thames & Hudson, £19.95) takes an inspirational look inside the homes of London’s hottest creative talents from the worlds of music, fashion, art and design. Erin O’Connor, Matthew Williamson and 26 other groovy

festival-meets-English-country fayre feel, with plenty of impressive musical interludes, as well as showcases for local talents, and a fun and funky children’s areas with crafts and activities. This years varied line-up will include Elvis Costello

HARVEST AT JIMMY'S September 9–12 is at Jimmy’s Farm, Pannington Hall Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk )Capacity 20,000 What’s the vibe An end-of-summer celebration showcasing the very best of British food, live performers and bands. Musical interludes Eliza

. The brainchild of Jimmy Doherty, sometime buddy of Jamie Oliver and star of Jimmy’s Farm, there are food demonstrations by top chefs (this year’s talent included Atol Kuchar, Rachel Allen and Thomasina Miers) while past music performers have included KT Tunstall

popular books including Each Peach Pear Plum (I spy Tom Thumb) and The Jolly Postman, both of which were illustrated by his late wife, Janet. In this instance, the initial inspiration was not actually literary, but musical. “It’s based on Bach’s Goldberg

Blissfields is at The Park, Vicarage Farm, Woodmancott, Winchester, Hampshire Capacity 2,200 What’s the vibe Awarded 2007 Best Small Festival accolade, this year’s theme promises to be a sci-fi-tastic “Out Of This World” experience. Musical

OFF THE TRACKS FESTIVAL MAY 27–29Donington Park Farmhouse, Castle Donington, Derbyshire (www.offthetracks.co.uk) Capacity 1,500What’s the vibe Small is beautiful is the mantra of this intimate twice-yearly affair. Musical interludes Headliners