PreK Music Makers
Imaginative play is an important part of a child's development. It helps young children develop socially and emotionally. It engages language skills, critical thinking and problem solving as children work out their imaginary scenarios. In music class we use imaginary play and dramatic play to act out song verses and create new ones.
In our video below, The Bear Went Over the Mountain, the children are answering the question, "What did he see?". We used their responses and their suggested movements to create new verses for our song and act out the verse. Taking a child's suggestion for a verse gives him or her a chance to be a leader for the class and take ownership of the musical experience.
In our video below, The Bear Went Over the Mountain, the children are answering the question, "What did he see?". We used their responses and their suggested movements to create new verses for our song and act out the verse. Taking a child's suggestion for a verse gives him or her a chance to be a leader for the class and take ownership of the musical experience.
Nursery Music Makers
You may have noticed in a few of our blog videos that we often sing our songs without the use of a CD or other accompaniment. In our Music Together classes (and in general), the goal is for children to recognize their voices and their bodies as their primary musical instruments. In order for children to learn to use their voices and bodies to express themselves musically, they need to be given opportunities for independent music making. Paring away the CD or other instrument puts the focus on making music with their voices and bodies and allows them to take ownership of the experience. Sometimes in class, children will also be asked to help create new verses or movements to a song to extend their independent music making experiences. In our Sneak & Peek video below you will notice that we are singing without accompaniment.
Music Together At Home
In order to create independent music making opportunities for you and your children at home, try turning off the CD and singing without the accompaniment. This gives you the freedom to create new verses to the songs or change the words here and there. So, when you are singing and dancing with your child at home, don't feel that you always need to have the CD playing, or an instrument in your hand. Instead, use YOU!
