Planning for play with instruments

26 May 2004

Most early years settings have a collection of musical instruments suitable for children to play. All too often, though, I notice instruments tossed rather carelessly into baskets or on to trolleys, rarely brought out or arranged neatly in 'music areas' that the children hardly ever use. Devise about six varied and practical ways of providing opportunities for the children to use the instruments that you have and rotate these in a planning routine, say, one week for each. Here are some ideas: 1 Place a gathering drum in the centre of the floor for about half an hour, with one adult to play partner the children.

Devise about six varied and practical ways of providing opportunities for the children to use the instruments that you have and rotate these in a planning routine, say, one week for each. Here are some ideas: 1 Place a gathering drum in the centre of the floor for about half an hour, with one adult to play partner the children.

2 Provide an ocean drum for an adult and child to play 'see-saw' and watch the bearing roll back and forth. This activity works particularly well with very young children.

3 Create a music washing line by hanging instruments, such as bottle shakers, tambourines, clusters of bells and rattles, from a line at child height in the outdoors. Attach the instruments with thick elastic cord to produce interesting movements when the children pull or shake the instruments.

4 Provide a basket filled with seed pod shakers and rattles, or other small instruments.

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