Most cultures have some form of expressive music and dance so it’s only natural that they’re part of our play curriculum.
BestStart is for families who want more from early-childhood education. Safe, nurturing and educationally focused, we’re committed to growing caring people with curious minds. Together we teach, learn and nurture.Our vision is to work in partnership with families, whanau and communities to enable children to achieve their learning potential.
Music and dance are great vehicles for learning and development. They support children’s intellectual, imaginative, emotional, social and cultural growth. They are enjoyable, soothing and help develop listening skills, concentration, coordination, cooperation, communication and memory, as well as being a valuable resource for creativity. With so much potential for learning and development it’s no wonder they’re so popular!
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Music and dance are great vehicles for learning and development. They support children’s intellectual, imaginative, emotional, social and cultural growth. They are enjoyable, soothing and help develop listening skills, concentration, coordination, cooperation, communication and memory, as well as being a valuable resource for creativity. With so much potential for learning and development it’s no wonder they’re so popular!
We often have designated music areas where percussion instruments are available to freely experiment with. In this space teachers facilitate small group sessions with children playing instruments together. They experience tempo, rhythm and pitch, things teachers may point out in conversation with children.
Physical co-ordination, fitness and spatial awareness are all developed through dance.
Dance games like ‘Ring o’ Roses’ or Māori stick games are always popular. In the dance area you will also see poi, ribbons and scarves as props to inspire different forms of dance.
Children learn to express their feelings and indulge their imagination through voice, musical instruments and/or body movement.
Singing is a wonderful way to extend children’s language in a fun way. We sometimes have music playing in the background to create ambience and a sense of calm. Other times we’ll play favourite songs and nursery rhymes for children to sing along to. Songs with actions are always popular and are great ways to challenge their coordination and motor skills.
Children learn to recognise and enjoy sounds, instruments and a variety of music.
Music and dance is a great way for children to feel a sense of belonging and pride in their culture. It’s a wonderful way to learn about and participate in the music of other cultures.
Through group participation children develop the dispositions and skills of cooperation and communication.
Music and Dance | Pūoro me te Kanikani
Continuing this learning at home
Sing and chant your child’s favourite songs or rhymes together. Get creative and change up the words to familiar tunes.
Encourage your child to create their own music or songs.
Encourage free expression and movement with ribbons, scarves, poi and rakau.
Mix it up - play a range of slow and fast music for children to dance to.
Show your child video clips of different cultural dances – they’ll learn how different dance can be.
Showing them a poi demonstration is a great way for your child to become familiar with poi. Then make your own poi at home and practice some moves.
Explore all the different sounds in the environment. Listen to the different bird song or the sounds of water over rocks. Tune into the wonderful sounds of nature.
Making your own instruments together with material you have around the house – think pots, pans and kitchen utensils!
Percussion instruments are fun additions to music creation try introducing drums, tambourine, xylophone, wooden blocks, clickers or maracas.
