Explore making a range of sounds on instruments and other sound makers
Allow time for children to explore different instruments and sound makers, and copy/build on their ideas. They may use instruments/sound makers in unexpected ways.
Act as a partner in their musical play, letting the child be in charge.
In order to develop both vocal and instrumental creativity, as well as developing skills relating to control, repetition is key. Week 1 with instruments/sound makers may be a riot of noise, but the more opportunities children have to explore, the more their ideas develop and their control improves.
Work with nursery/school staff to encourage free music-making, where an area is allocated to storing instruments/sound makers, but children are allowed to roam and take the sound makers to other areas. This can be both indoors and outdoors, and can involve combining sound makers with other equipment.
Before introducing instrumental free play, introduce instruments and set expectations in terms of keeping self and equipment safe, as well as returning everything to its ‘home’.
Work with nursery/school staff to organise instruments into labelled containers. Using a picture of what belongs inside can be a great way to remind children of where things belong without relying on reading the label.
Encourage children to explore the sounds that everyday objects around them make, e.g. bottles, tins, kitchen utensils.
Encourage children to create simple body percussion patterns.
Encourage children to improvise sounds on instruments/sound makers to accompany a song or chant, or to ‘fill a gap’ in a song or chant.
With children, create simple soundscapes in response to a variety of stimuli (pictures, objects etc.).
Explore the progression of this Learning Descriptor
Continue exploring the current Age Range
