Written by Veronica Martin (ECE Coordinator)
We have all seen children’s creative art work and children singing songs as they walk along, or when they are engaged in an activity. The ECE supports children to develop their creative side, providing many diverse ways for them to find their own style and preferences. Music is one way that children can learn to express themselves and develop language skills.
Last week all K4 students participated in the end of year Musical, ‘Seven Little Penguins’. The children worked alongside the class teachers and Ms. Jeannie Jackson the music teacher to learn the songs, think about lines and decide who would be what character in the show. Children along with their parents, designed and created their own individual costumes that reflected their character and also the child’s personality. When children are given the lead on designing what they think their character looks like, their ideas are far greater than any adult could think of. The stage was set with Penguins that had top hats, pom-poms and sparkly dresses; polar bears had glitter and sequins, all designed by the children and parents. Each child wore their costume with pride and ownership. Children had the chance to demonstrate their ability to be creative and work together. All of these elements came together and a quality K4 production took place.
The K3 children also participate in Music lessons with Ms. Diana Dai. Ms. Diana provides music and singing that the children find interesting and that will ignite their imagination. The K3A class took their interest further and started a project on drums. Hearing a beat played out upon many different surfaces was all we could hear for a few weeks. Children used drum sticks to develop a beat upon the obstacle course, boxes, pots and pans and any other surface that might hold a beat. They made up songs that included Chinese and English words, and a Year 5 student came down and put on a performance for the children. He then spent time showing the K3 children how to use the drum kit. Cross-age learning allowed the young children to get to know the older student and use the platform of music to have a conversation together.
Music in K2 provides a link between languages. Children begin to use a new language in a basic song such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. Songs that have actions allow the child to link the action to the word such as “twinkle”. Songs that are repetitive allow the children to feel how the sounds are created with their mouth; you can often see children repeating a verse or a line from a song while engaged in other activities.
Music is so engaging and something every child can participate in with ease. Not only do they receive pleasure and enjoyment, they are also supporting many skills needed later in life.