Playing with music at school & home

Young children explore music through play. They make discoveries through trial and error—“If I hit the tambourine lightly, it makes a soft sound. If I hit it hard, it makes a loud one.” They listen to the musical beat and dance along with it. They make up new words or add choruses to familiar songs. They ask you to sing with them or, in some cases, ask you to let them perform a solo. As children explore and enjoy music, they can develop skills in other learning areas at the same time. Teachers and families can relate music to subjects as diverse as math, literacy,
and social studies.

At school, the children can often be found experimenting with music. On a recent morning Avram and Ryan were perched at the CD player, leaning closely in, sure not to miss a note. They wanted to hear There's a Dinosaur Knocking at My Door, the ever popular Shabbat song, over and over and over again. As the song replayed, Avram and Ryan tapped out the beat on a nearby wall, experimenting with sound and the rhythm of the song.

Many children need little encouragement to become engaged with music, but just for inspiration, here are a few ideas to try at home.

• Develop literacy skills through rhymes. As you listen to playful children's songs together, repeat the rhyming words and encourage your child to do the same. Next step? Make up your own silly verses.
• Talk about the music you like: “I really like the jazz—it helps me relax.” Ask questions: “I hear horns. What instruments do you hear?”
• Listen for details. Ask your child to focus on the sounds of different instruments, the rhythm of the music, and the words of new songs. This will help your child learn to be a good listener in school.
• Recognize and repeat patterns. Children can develop this math skill while listening to music. Take turns copying patterns in your favorite music, and then create your own. Start with five or fewer beats before moving on to longer patterns.

Who are your family’s favorite musicians or styles of music?

Adapted from Message in a Backpack, Teaching Young Children www.tyc.naeyc.org