By Zelia Van Der Walt, Music Teacher at OIA Primary & Secondary
Clapping, moving, singing and keeping the beat! Our young musicians from Early Years to Group 4 have been discovering some of the building blocks of music through active and playful lessons.
One of our main focuses has been exploring steady beat and rhythm. Students across Early Years to Group 4 have been practicing how to feel and keep a steady beat through clapping, movement, singing and musical games. They have also been discovering that a steady beat is the regular pulse that keeps going throughout music, while rhythm follows the pattern of the words and sounds we hear.
One student explained it beautifully: “The beat is steady and the rhythm is changing with long and short sounds.”
You may even hear some new musical language at home! If your child starts saying “ta”, “titi” or “ta-aa”, they are practicing rhythm patterns. These rhythm syllables help students understand and feel different note lengths in a playful and accessible way. So, if you hear your child chanting rhythms at home, they may well be practicing their musical skills!
Of course, the best way to understand music is to experience it! Through clapping, movement, singing and musical games, students have been practicing keeping a steady beat and performing simple rhythmic patterns. Basic percussion instruments have also helped bring these musical ideas to life.
In Early Years, students have also been exploring different genres of music. They have been listening and moving to a variety of musical styles, noticing how music can sound and feel different depending on the genre. This helps them develop their listening skills while discovering that there are many different ways to make and enjoy music.
Singing has been an important part of our music-making too. In Early Years, music has provided a natural connection with Dutch language learning. The students have sung a Dutch good morning song, practiced body parts through Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, and explored colours through song. Music, movement, and repetition make learning new words both fun and memorable.
Along the way, students are developing their listening skills, coordination, musical vocabulary and sense of rhythm; all while experiencing the joy of making music together.
And this is only the beginning! As the year continues, we will keep building on these musical foundations, with more opportunities to sing, move, listen, explore different kinds of music and, of course, make music together.