Child-led music in early years

Early years music practitioner Penny Osmond shares her tried-and-tested ways to encourage children to take the lead in music-making and develop their confidence

Chamber Tots session at Wigmore Hall - Courtesy Wigmore Hall Learning

As adults, our experience of music is often passive. We hear a completed song play on the radio, or watch an ensemble perform on stage. As listeners we enjoy receiving this perfected music. Even our teaching of KS2 children and upwards often focuses on gradually working towards a finished performance. But in early years, the musical experiences we hope to create in our classrooms are much more active and varied, so that every child will find a way to join in. We also hope that these experiences will not only be musical but will improve children’s social skills, physical development, focus, and both verbal and non-verbal listening skills, as well as deepen their understanding of the world. In short, we seek to cover the entire Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.