Here are 5 different ways to use musical instruments in play
Musical instruments are a common resource within Early Years settings. They enable children’s listening and attention alongside their creative development. Most settings will use musical instruments during songs or story times, yet they have many more uses.
‘Bear likes honey’ attention and listening game
Children will love playing this game, and it extends their attention and listening development too! All of the children will sit in a circle, and one child will be chosen to be the ‘bear’. The bear will then lie down in the middle of the circle with their eyes closed. The rest of the group then sing;
“Isn’t it funny how a bear likes honey
Buzz buzz buzz, I wonder why he does?
Go to sleep Mr Bear, don’t peek”
Another child is the circle will then be chosen to hide a set of bells behind their back. All of the children in the circle must put their hands behind their back too. The chosen child will then ring the bells to wake up the Bear and the child in the middle will stand up and try to guess who has the bells. Once found, the child with the bells will then become the Bear and the game starts again.
Tidying up
Musical instruments are a great way to encourage tidying up. Some settings may have a tidy up song or use sand timers, however instruments can also be effective. Two children will be chosen to be the tidy up monitors. When tidy up time arrives the monitors will choose some musical instruments to play while their friends tidy up. The children must continue tidying until the musical instruments stop. Sand timers can be used to help the monitors know when to stop playing. After the tidying up has finished the practitioners or the tidy up monitors can pick two children who did the best tidying to be the monitors next time.
Rain-makers
Children can experience musical instruments in a great way by making their own. Rain-makers are easy to make using rice and pringle tubes. Simply cut out a circle the same size as the tube and cut out holes within the circle, then make a cut half way down the tube. This cut out circle can then be pushed through the slot, inside the tube. The children can then add rice to the tube and seal the tube lid to the top using a glue gun. Children can decorate the outside of the tube using paint, glitter and sequins to make their rain-maker personal.
Following instructions
Musical instruments can be a great way to encourage listening skills in children and the ability to follow instructions and copy actions. The children can sit in a circle and choose from a range of musical instruments. The practitioner can then choose one instrument and each child that has the same must follow the practitioners lead. This can then be repeated for all of the instruments used. This activity encourages children to listen carefully and recognise the difference between sounds.
Imagination games
Musical instruments can be used during role play and imagination games. Children can be given instructions to carry out upon hearing different instruments. Practitioners can base this around daily routines such as getting ready in the morning. Actions such as pretending to brush your teeth when you hear a drum or get dressed when you hear the bells. This will support children’s listening and attention alongside their imaginative skills.