Planning for play with instruments

Susan Young
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Most early years settings have a collection of musical instruments suitable for children to play. All too often, though, I notice instruments tossed rather carelessly into baskets or on to trolleys, rarely brought out or arranged neatly in 'music areas' that the children hardly ever use. Devise about six varied and practical ways of providing opportunities for the children to use the instruments that you have and rotate these in a planning routine, say, one week for each. Here are some ideas: 1 Place a gathering drum in the centre of the floor for about half an hour, with one adult to play partner the children.