Music and movement activities are routine parts of the Montessori kindergarten in Agoura. It is critical to sensory development, hones physical skills, and promotes both social interaction and critical thinking. These 5 popular activities are a sampling of how children can be introduced to music, dance, and song.
The Impact of Music on Education
Research tells us that music contributes to learning in a variety of ways. Learning about instruments at her Montessori kindergarten in Agoura, for example, introduces a whole new vocabulary. From fine motor skills to the physical sciences, making music contributes to child development and helps them build vital social and muscular skills.
Music and Movement Activities in Kindergarten
- Sing-Alongs – This type of activity teaches language skills, promotes social interaction, and introduces music concepts like cadence and tone. Sing-alongs also make an excellent introduction to new languages.
- Percussion Exercises – Banging on a drum (or bowl, or pot, or whatever) is always entertaining for children, and it promotes the development of fine motor skills. Introducing a musical percussion instrument like a xylophone can even help children learn how sound waves are created.
- Simon Says – Simon Says isn’t really a musical game, but it has repetitive properties that are similar. It is also an excellent game for developing fine motor skills, promoting critical thinking, and teaching children to listen closely to what they hear
- Dance Concepts – You cannot expect kindergarten children to master complex choreography, but they can learn basic dance styles and moves. From square dancing to the waltz, introducing children to dance builds social skills, builds gross motor skills, and provides practical lessons that will be beneficial as the children get older.
- Identifying Instruments – Learning to recognize the properties of instruments is an educational accomplishment in itself, but the activity includes building a stronger vocabulary, learning to read and write, basic math, and a touch of the physical sciences.
Because music varies from one cultural region to another, it is also an excellent way to introduce concepts of diversity and inclusion as well as geography. Learning where instruments originated and how they work will keep children engaged and interested.