One primary objective for kindergarten students is to learn about steady beats and be able to keep beats. This is accomplished through music, speech and singing. Students learn to keep steady beats by using instruments, clapping or echoing phrases. You also may illustrate various music tempos and teach about quarter, half and whole notes.
Kindergarten students also learn about the various musical pitches. Use the piano or another instrument to teach this, or use audio tracks. Students learn to distinguish different pitches and how to echo them. While learning about pitches, students also learn about various speeds and levels of music. Have children sing slow songs and fast ones. Sometimes a song starts slowly and works its way faster. You can also demonstrate singing or playing instruments quietly during various song parts and loudly during others.
Another objective in kindergarten music is teaching the students about the history of music and various music cultures. Teachers may use small hand-held instruments to demonstrate what other cultures use to make music, such as a pair of maracas.
Kindergarten students also learn about evaluating music in order to find meaning within it. One way this is accomplished is through movements. Illustrate different movements during songs to help the kids visualize what the words are saying. For example, if a song has a line about looking for something, ask the students to place their hands above their eyes, indicating that they are looking for something. Students may also learn about the various purposes of music. For example, lullabies are sung to babies to comfort them and help them fall asleep. Other songs include hand-clapping to illustrate excitement or joy. These differences help children learn about the moods of music.