How to Use music Playfully
Music lends itself to movement and is like a sibling to creativity. This magic combination has countless benefits for well-being at every age. Below are just some of its merits in relation to childhood development.
Music is a brilliant ally to create fun, connection and regulation. It is an inexpensive and easy to access tool for your parenting/teaching toolkit. It is a mood shifter and a game changer. The energy of music is powerful. Upbeat music adds energy and motivates. Calm music relaxes.
Intellectually music play can enhance memory, attention, listening and classification skills. Music can also contribute to language development as the experiential and self-expression aspects lead to discussion and understanding. Physically the variety of movement that can occur through music play contributes to gross and fine motor development. The movement, like all physical activity, releases endorphins, which adds to the feel good factor.
Emotionally and socially play with music can impact significantly on self-expression, sense of self and self-esteem. As well as this when any music play is done in a group setting there is learning in social skills of sharing space and turn taking.
Music can release emotions or put words to feelings we don’t know how to express. Music evokes memories and can transport us. To be interested in the music your children and teens are into creates connection. Equally it is lovely for parents to share the music they enjoy with their kids.
Taking out the Competition
Generally when playing music games there is no right or wrong way; it is open to expression and interpretation. Therefore, it is a positive, joyful experience that results in a real sense of success and connection to self or others.
There are an abundance of games ideas involving music available online but be mindful when introducing competitive versions. For example: musical statues where you are out if you move. This type of game has its place but it brings with it a few cons i.e. the children do not experience the song as it stopped so much and behavioral issues can arise as those out early can get bored and those left in can be become more self-conscious with a crowd watching them.
Instead consider playing musical statues where nobody gets eliminated. Instead of stopping the song add a triangle/shaker and every time the group hear it they have to change direction/move an different body part. In this way the game is back to a positive experience full of movement and self-expression.
music activities for home and school
Here are 5 music activities for you to try at home or at school. Hopefully it will give some inspiration. Have fun and tweak as your own creative additions come to mind.
DIY musical instruments:
There are so many ideas online from the simple to the more advanced. You are looking for anything to add sounds. Make a shaker using a plastic bottle and dry rice and blast a song. Having a few musical toys to hand is important for all toy collections.
Mirror Movement/Follow the leader:
Using music for this activity brings more spontaneity and fun. It is good for children to experience the power of being the leader in charge of the movements.
Relaxing music in the bath/art time:
Adding relaxing music to bath time or art time (even simply colouring a page) can really enhance the calming effect. Spending time in explicit calm can release so much emotion without talking and untangle an emotional knot before it gets too tight.
Dance party:
This is a lovely family/classroom ritual. In my house it is often after dinner we ask Google Home to play a tune and off we boogie. Or the radio plays something irresistible and you get yourself and your kid on your feet for the fun of it.
Guess the sound/Hide the sound:
Close your eyes and guess what sound this is or close your eyes and tell me where in the room the bell is ringing? These are lovely games to support concentration and listening skills.