In the early childhood classroom, the use of music and fingerplays has a way of capturing children’s attention and leading them towards success throughout the day. Let me tell you why music and fingerplays are magical in the early childhood classroom.
Fostering a Sense of Community
In everything we do in the early childhood classroom, we want to keep ‘fostering a sense of community’ at the heart of why we do what we do. Music and fingerplays naturally invite students to be a part of the larger community in the classroom. It is a time where we can magically get our students to work cooperatively together whether we invite them to sing a song, chant a rhyme, follow directions, play a game, make a circle, or move together in unity.
Capturing Attention
Music and fingerplays are like magic when it comes to capturing student attention and for helping young children calm down. Add a simple tune to almost any phrase and the phrase is transformed from white noise to an effective, calming, listening tool.
Giving Directions
Music and fingerplays magically help young children focus on you and as a result, they are better able to hear and follow simple directions that you give. I can’t tell you how many times my students have neatly and quietly lined up just by hearing me singing our line up song.
Introducing and Reinforcing Concepts
Music and fingerplays are easy for young children to learn and remember. As a result, they can be used to help children build new knowledge and practice their knowledge of concepts in all areas of the curriculum. Almost every day I have a song chosen to introduce during circle time. It usually relates to the book we’ve read or a concept we are talking about.
Practicing and Mastering New Skills
As you consistently use music and fingerplays in your classroom, your students will be more apt to try new skills, practice those skills, and ultimately begin to master those skills. It is amazing to watch the progress over the year as my students master different parts of the songs we sing.
Creating a Joyful Environment
Music and fingerplays make being in your classroom a fun and joyful experience. A musical voice always sounds friendly and a fun rhyme or a simple song always feels inviting. Young children will feel more at ease with your leadership and safe in your environment as you reach out to connect with them through simple songs and fingerplays.
