Respond to cues from others when making music
Sing a variety of action songs, encouraging children to initiate actions and also match actions to those of a leader, e.g. ‘Can you do what George does?’ song.
Create an enabling environment for children to join in with singing activities in their own way. Lycra sheets and large scrunchies can be useful, as can digital resources.
The role of the teacher should involve both modelling and mirroring, valuing and listening to children’s musical play.
Encourage children to initiate musical patterns and sounds and copy those of others in shared music-making.
Encourage nursery/school staff to make instruments and sound makers freely available for shared spontaneous improvisation.
Sing songs and use vocalisations that include spaces for children to fill with an appropriate word/sound/action.
Engage children in simple ‘start and stop’ games. This may be a movement game or game with instruments/sound makers, where children play on ‘go’ and stop playing on ‘stop’.
Make a range of different movements with a scarf, piece of rope or pool noodle (a long, cylindrical piece of flexible foam used as a flotation aid in swimming) and ask children to respond through dancing/vocalising.
Explore the progression of this Learning Descriptor
Continue exploring the current Age Range
