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Learning Through Music
We love a good music session in the sun, music creates opportunity for collaboration and promoting a sense of togetherness, this is important for us here and kothaitanga is a big part of our local curriculum. Tamariki need time to explore music their way independently as well as teacher led. open ended music sessions allowing tamariki to explore their own ideas, and develop their own working theories around music.
Musical play supports the aspirations of Te whāriki through the strands wellbeing and communication, collaborating and playing with or alongside others. Research shows that between the ages of 3-7 years of age tamariki process language musically, and are carefully listening to the inflections and rhythms of language. Child direct speech tends to be more musical, for example childrens babble reflects the musical nature of what they are hearing.
Research also shows that from birth to 2 years of age, children develop language more quickly when they experience musical play. Making sound and playing instruments such as manipulating a shaker or plucking strings challenges childrens physical skills and supports developing fine and gross motor skills and coordination. We were also listening carefully to the sounds the instruments made and tamariki decided if it was high pitch or low pitch. So much learning through music, but most importantly so much fun.