Thank You For The Music Musical Drawing In The Early Years
This series of early years music articles features a new activity each month. These were trialled for young children alongside music recordings on YouTube. Consequently, these activities foster genuine engagement. Furthermore, practitioners can use these methods to ensure music becomes a daily part of the nursery. Therefore, daily engagement is the goal.
Finnish Research on Early Years Music Engagement
A Finnish study by Lehikoinen considered ways to explore creativity. Specifically, this research identified that younger children often lack music content. Furthermore, the study found that music arts were not usually accessed daily. Therefore, six activities were devised to increase daily engagement in music for this group.
These activities include dance, painting, and creating objects from music. Additionally, digital drawing and musical drawing were highlighted as effective tools. Because the brain considers creating as a positive event, these music exercises help to refocus the mind. Ultimately, as Dr Allan Presland reminds us, early education is where curiosity and music begin.
6 activities were devised, specifically for this age group, to increase daily engagement in the arts:
- Dance-painting – paint feet, move to song (part 1)
- Magic dough – create playdough objects from songs (part 2)
- Digital drawing – digital communication (part 3)
- Musical drawing (part 4)
- Balloon painting
- Snow-painting
This month, we are focusing on musical drawing.
The Benefits of Musical Drawing for Young Children
Drawing to music is a recognised therapeutic technique. Specifically, music has been shown to access all parts of the brain. Consequently, this type of active music experience is a perfect warm-up. Therefore, it should be used before more demanding exercises, such as maths. Thus, music prepares the mind for learning.
Implementing Music Activities in Daily Practice
The following songs include music activities for children to draw to. Because these sessions are engaging, they help children develop a love for music. Therefore, practitioners should encourage children to express what they hear. Consequently, this tactile connection to music ensures the experience is physical.
Professional development can help staff master the delivery of music sessions. Specifically, the Parenta Level 3 Childcare Diploma provides necessary training for high-quality music. Furthermore, understanding sensory engagement helps make music more inclusive. Thus, all children benefit from these sessions.
No One In The House
No one in the house but Dinah, Dinah
No one in the house but me I know
No one in the house but Dinah, Dinah
Strumming on the old banjo
This old American song is a lovely example of pentatonic music. Pentatonic music uses only 5 notes that are quite close together. This makes it easy for new singers to sing successfully so they sound good, singing in tune without it feeling like hard work. The repeated name call “Dinah, Dinah” adds a fun, siren effect at the end of the lines. Drawing along to this is sure to be energising and produce some colourful pictures!
special, in fact, I'mOranges and Lemons
Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clements
I owe you two farthing, say the bells of St Martins
When will you pay me? say the bells of Old Bailey
When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch
When will that be? say the bells of Stepney
I do not know, says the Great Bell of Bow
This classic nursery rhyme is written in 6/8 or “lullaby” timing, which is very soothing. It is used in several children’s songs, including "Girls and Boys Go Out To Play", and gives a feeling of rocking on a boat or in a hammock–like the swinging of a bell. Music has been shown medically to reduce the heart rate, which is particularly helpful for anxiety and stress, so singing while creating beautiful artwork is bound to be a winning combination!
My Bonnie
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me
Bring back, oh bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Bring back, oh bring back
Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me, to me
Oh blow ye waves over the ocean
Oh blow ye waves over the sea
Oh blow ye waves over the ocean
And bring back my Bonnie to me
This traditional sea shanty is also written in 6/8 “lullaby” timing, and much like “Rock A Bye Baby”, has a calming and relaxing effect. The repetition in the verses and chorus makes it easy to learn and sing along to, and the imagery of a boat sailing across the ocean provides many inspirational ideas that can be used to draw or paint.
Thank You For The Music
I’m nothing special, in fact, I'm a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you’ve probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
‘Cause everyone listens when I start to sing
I’m so grateful and proud
All I want is to sing it out loud
So I say, thank you for the music
The songs I’m singing
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing
Who can live without it?
I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song, or a dance
What are we?
So I say, thank you for the music
For giving it to me
This ABBA favourite is a wonderful song of hope, of ability, and an anthem in recognition of the myriad of ways that music helps and improves life. While it is better for new singers to sing songs with notes that are close together, this song has notes quite far apart – the verse is quite low, and the chorus is a lot higher. So new singers may find that they can sing the middle of the song easier than the beginning – or perhaps the other way around. These types of songs are wonderful as listening pieces with the option to sing along – recognising that not everyone will be able to sing it successfully to start. Increasing opportunities to learn different styles of music, different types of songs, and different note combinations, is a gift that opens the mind to new experiences, building confidence and resilience in tackling new situations.
Early years music ideas like drawing to music can be a rewarding experience for both adults and children alike. It can provide a respite from demanding or challenging situations, while also freeing the mind to be in the moment, not anticipating the next steps. We would love to know how your group uses this activity!
Sustaining Creativity Through Music and Art
By incorporating music into the routine, we are transforming lives. Because we believe education changes lives, Parenta supports these music initiatives. Ultimately, when children engage with music, they build a foundation of dignity. Consequently, they find safety and hope for their future education.
Musician, researcher and author, Frances Turnbull, is a self-taught guitarist who has played contemporary and community music from the age of 12. She delivers music sessions to the early years and KS1. Trained in the music education techniques of Kodály (specialist singing), Dalcroze (specialist movement) and Orff (specialist percussion instruments), she has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (Open University) and a Master’s degree in Education (University of Cambridge). She runs a local community choir, the Bolton Warblers, and delivers the Sound Sense initiative aiming for “A choir in every care home” within local care and residential homes, supporting health and wellbeing through her community interest company.
She has represented the early years music community at the House of Commons, advocating for recognition for early years music educators, and her table of progressive music skills for under 7s features in her curriculum books.
Frances is the author of “Learning with Music: Games and Activities for the Early Years“ “Learning with Music: Games and Activities for the Early Years“, published by Routledge, August 2017.
