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The Music Area should be a well organized, inviting space where students can easily access familiar instruments to create their own music, explore sounds, dance, and play. It should be located in an area that allows for movement and the enjoyment of sound without interrupting other children's play during work time.
Setting Up Your Music Area
When Setting Up Your Music Area Consider:
Placement in the Classroom: Placing your Music Area near other "loud" areas such as the Block Area and House Area
Ease of Use: Arranging movement materials and instruments so they are easy for children to take out, play with, and put away
Labels: Music Area Signs (HighScope) and Shelf Labels
Music Area Signs: Include a Music Area Sign on the wall at the students' visual level
Shelf Labels: Include pictures of instruments on your storage containers and the shelves where the containers go. You can use these Music Area Shelf Labels or create your own labels using drawings or photos of your instruments and materials
Accessibility: Are all instruments easily accessible to students?
Place lighter materials on top so students can access them independently
Heavier materials like the xylophone should go on the lower shelves or on the floor
Space: The size of your Music Area
Is there enough space for students to move creatively and play the larger instruments?
You can add an area rug to help define the space, or a full-length mirror for students to observe their movements
Materials: Scarves and wrist ribbons can be placed in the Music Area on Day 1. As you introduce new instruments through large group and small group activities, add them to your Music Area so students can continue to explore them during Work Time.
Giving Students Permission to Explore
Creating a Welcome Music Area:
An open, available Music Area lets our students to guide their own learning. Barricaded, covered, and isolated shelves tell our students these materials are "off limits" to them. Consider starting the year with a minimally stocked Music Area and growing it as instruments and materials are introduced.
Songbook and Activity Cards:
Songbook: Adding a songbook with 5-6 song cards that are familiar to students gives students the opportunity to sing, move, and reenact the activities during Work Time. Song cards can be rotated out so the children's favorite songs at the time are in the songbook.
Activity Rings: Activity cards for the Music Area can be placed on a ring for teachers to use for a short activity, and then placed in the Music Area for children to explore. So far, we have Scarves, Wrist Ribbons, and Directional Cards that can be placed on rings.
Need help organizing your Music Area?
Contact Allison Burchell - The PreK Music and Movement Specialist for suggestions and support.
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