What Happened?
On Friday, October 8, the children played with musical instruments outside in the playground. The children were familiar with some of the instruments such as the drums, maracas and shakers while there were some instruments that were foreign to them, such as the finger castanets, triangles etc. They all chose different instruments from the box, listening to the different sounds they made.
One of the children picked up a triangle and said “how do you play this?” Another child replied back to her saying that she can use a stick.
As the educator started playing the finger castanets, another child asked, “what is that called?” After examining it in her hand, she said “it can also be for makeup” and smiled. The children enjoyed taking turns with the different instruments and sang rhymes to the music they created.
“When children manipulate material, explore music and movement and engage in imaginative expression and dramatic play, they are communicating (HDLH 2014, pg. 42).
On Monday, October 11, the children continued their musical experience by using different toys as instruments. One of the children inverted sandbox bowls into drums while hitting the drums with his hands. He appeared to be interested in the sound he was creating and attempted make rhythm. Another child joined in by singing the alphabet song, while another child starting hitting two spoons together. A fourth child joined in by filling a box with small animal toys and began to shake it. He said “this is my maraca!”
What's Next?
The children will continue using different mediums of creative expressions including music, movement and art both in inside and outside.
“Encouraging the creative expression of ideas, feelings and interpretation using a variety of material helps satisfy children’s learning and enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills” HDLH 2014, pg. 42.
