As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on the progress the children have made. The youngest children are developing an understanding of beat keeping, recognising high and low, exploring tempo and dynamics. They are developing an understanding of using their voice above the speaking range, and learning to pitch accurately within a one octave range. They are building repertoire for our next steps of musical literacy in rhythm and pitch. They have learned how to ‘clap syllables’ to figure out how many syllables in words. They have learned to distinguish between notes.

In addition, the children are learning to take turns, form a circle, learn their left from right hands, learn about direction, develop coordination, learn that they can be a good partner with everyone.

The ideal situation is to begin with children at this age (or younger) to establish the foundational skills, repertoire and classroom culture that will help the learning to flow easily as the children progress.

Michelle, A volunteer who has also been a teacher aid at the school for nine years has noticed a big change in the interactions between the younger children since the music programme began. She says, “The joy I see in the music classroom is transferring to the rest of the children’s interactions with each other. I see that they are becoming kinder to each other”.