This month we've introduced some instruments into the classroom. An educator began playing the Congo and all the children gather to listen. They all wanted a turn playing it as well so we got out the rest of our wooden instruments. We all sit in a circle as the educator shows the children how each instrument works. Then we took turns passing the Instruments around as well as patiently listening as each child made a beat and the others tried to copy it. We spoke about how music isn't just heard it's felt through vibrations. Sometimes when the children are not feeling up for the day, we begin to play some music and notice the tension release.
It appears as though the children are able to sit attentively and listen to the music for a prolonged period of time. I wonder if the challenge of repeating the beat motivates them to try and learn the instruments. As the children would take a turn making a beat they were very excitable and beaming. I wonder if they get a sense of belonging as everyone's eyes are on them and have to follow what they do.
I wonder what would happen if we encourage the children to create music with items we see around the classroom. Would they use pots, pans, spoons, and tables? Would they be able to create similar sounds? Instead of a physical scavenger hunt, I wonder how the children would react to a scavenger hunt on sounds?
As music seems to help with self-regulation in our classroom, how would the children react to some instruments being added to our calming area? Would this impact the kids positively, or disrupt the children trying to relax?
