These sessions last between 30 and 45 minutes depending on the individual teacher. The format changes from one class to another, but in general there will be songs on the lap to start followed by some movement/dancing and finishing with the playing of some instruments. Sometimes there will be a theme e.g. the weather, colours or autumn or the teacher may be concentrating on musical skills such as rhythm, tempo, dynamics or pitch. Quite often it will be a combination of theme and musical skills.
As every child has a body and a voice, singing and movement are of great importance.
All children have musical potential and music education is the education of the whole child. Rhythm, melody, harmony, dynamics, form and expression are elements which can be acquired easily and happily through listening, moving, singing and participating in a programme which encourages experimentation of sound, using a variety of percussive and melodic instruments.
The aim of music classes is to assist the development of the whole child so that she or he can gain a sense of self-confidence, achievement, security and an inner rhythmic sureness that is a pre-condition to success in reading, writing and all other learning.
The rhythms of music complement body movements. An active music programme uses melody, rhythm, movement and speech to involve the whole child. This total involvement and integration of these four elements should be a central part of all childhood experience.