After over a decade of using musical games in a variety of school settings, I am still amazed at how quickly children pick them up and the speed at which they spread, raising the culture of game-playing. Children often take ownership of these games and love to pass them on to friends and family.
These games are a kinaesthetic way to learn, involving simultaneous sound and movement. These days many children spend hours in front of a screen which blocks out face-to-face interaction, which for all children, is a vital source of social input.
These workshops re-dress that balance. In these games children are in pairs or circles, listening and responding to each other, turn-taking, moving and clapping hands. As there is very little competition involved, they naturally enhance team spirit and self-esteem.
By playing these games your children will benefit by developing skills in the following areas:
Improved self-esteem
Turn-taking
Imaginative role-playing
Co-operation
Co-ordination
Decision making
Fine and gross motor skills
Musically your children will be finding and developing their singing voices, learning what the pulse is, what rhythm is, the difference between them, using their voices, body percussion and musical instruments to practically embed what they are learning.
They will take part in larger musical compositions, will gradually learn to improvise and will eventually start the process of understanding basic musical literacy. It is unlikely that they will consider they are learning, though. They will, most importantly, be having fun and playing with friends!
I am always happy to talk with you about your child’s interest in music, what motivates them and how they can take this interest further.
If you have any further questions or would like to have an informal chat please contact us!
Improved self-esteem