Preschoolers should be given numerous opportunities to sing because it is one of the best ways that young children learn about and create music. Singing should be fun, relaxed and playful. This helps children succeed at singing. It also makes children willing to learn more about singing and music.
In addition to singing, teach the children to chant, play rhythmic games and talk in song. Let them develop their singing ability at their individual rate. Though opportunities to match pitch, such as echo games, should be provided, never expect all of the children to match pitch. Help children develop vocal awareness and find their singing voices through activities such as gliding their voices. Use traditional children's songs, folk songs and nursery rhymes.
Preschoolers should start learning to actively listen to music. At the same time, they should begin to develop a musical vocabulary and to grasp musical concepts and elements.
Show children how to be good listeners by modeling "good audience" behavior, such as not talking while listening. Give them instructions before or after listening to music, and communicate with them with visual cues or nonverbal signals when music is playing.
Also, use visual aids to guide children's listening skills. Visual aids can direct the children's attention to a part of the music. Another tool is drawing to music. Let the children illustrate the music by making marks to show the long and short sounds of music or by changing colors when the musical style changes.
Preschoolers should begin to experiment with movement to help them relate to music through another medium. Through movement, children learn how to respond to music nonverbally, and it helps them understand rhythm. Movement develops children's confidence in moving creatively and they begin to comprehend where their bodies are in relation to space. In addition, movement helps young children learn to follow directions, develop coordination and improve social skills.
Provide opportunities for preschoolers to move while listening to music. They can stamp their feet, walk, play singing games or perform finger plays. In addition, the children should experiment with free movement, such as moving their bodies however the music makes them feel.
Preschoolers should begin to experiment with different instruments and other sound sources to gain awareness of the different pitches and qualities of sounds. Allow children to play with different sound sources such as a car horn, bursting balloon, whistle and toy trumpet. Try inserting some of the sounds into children's and folk songs. Play a variety of instruments so the children can hear their different sounds and sound quality. Also, provide opportunities for children to try playing some instruments, such as a tambourine, drum, piano or guitar.