The Joy of Child-Led Music and Movement in Foundation Stage
child-led approach to music and movement
Alongside the music provision delivered by our wonderful Primary Music team, this year students in Foundation Stage have also enjoyed the delights of a more child-led approach to music and movement. This initiative has offered children agency and autonomy, allowing them to make their own choices about the music they sing, dance to and play instruments along with.
The philosophy behind this approach brings many benefits. By creating a bridge between music enjoyed at home and music experienced at school, we help children feel a stronger sense of belonging in our setting. This familiar connection fosters comfort and joy, enriching their early learning experiences.
Child-led music also celebrates individuality as children are free to request their own favourite songs. Whether tapping a triangle to “Fly Me to the Moon” or dancing to “Let It Go,” children are free to express themselves in unique and creative ways. Parents have supported this by sharing favourite family songs through Seesaw, our home-school partnership app. It’s been a delight to watch children perform ballet to Disney classics or rock out to “Transformers” all chosen by them. The breadth of different music styles chosen has been fantastic! Our latest inspiration came from our Year 6 performance of Aladdin, after which children were flying around FS on magic carpets and building palaces, re-creating their favourite moments from the show!
Our FS2 children have even started writing down their favourite songs, using their emerging phonics and writing skills to keep a growing playlist alive and inclusive. And it’s not just those who choose to join in. Children busy making ‘cupcakes’ in the playdough area can often be seen dancing along to their favourite music in the background. This is because child-led music is optional. Children who are deeply engaged in other play experiences can choose to continue their play, uninterrupted and enjoy the music from afar.
When we place children at the centre of their learning, we empower them to explore in ways that truly engage them. What a joy it is to witness the rise of our future musicians, dancers and performers led entirely by their own passions. Children are leaving FS ready for our specialist music and drama teachers to continue to nurture these passions with expert knowledge as children continue their expressive arts journey into the Primary School.
