Music and Movement Activities for Children

Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Childhood Music Education course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.

Music and Movement Activities for Children

Music and Movement Activities for Children Glossary #

Music and Movement Activities for Children Glossary

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Active Listening

Active listening is the process of fully engaging with music by focusing on its… #

It involves paying close attention to the music being played and responding physically or emotionally to it. Active listening can enhance a child's musical understanding and appreciation.

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Beat

The beat is the steady pulse or rhythm that underlies music #

It is the foundation upon which all musical elements are built. Children can learn to feel and move to the beat through activities such as clapping, tapping, or marching in time with the music.

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Call and Response

Call and response is a musical form in which a leader (the caller) sings or play… #

This interactive format encourages participation and engagement among children in music and movement activities.

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Creative Movement

Creative movement involves expressing oneself through physical movements that ar… #

In music and movement activities, children can explore different ways of moving to music, allowing them to develop their creativity, self-expression, and coordination.

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Dynamics

Dynamics refer to the variations in volume or intensity in music #

Children can learn about dynamics by moving in response to changes in volume, such as dancing softly to quiet music and energetically to loud music. This helps them understand the emotional impact of dynamics in music.

6 #

Form

Form in music refers to the structure or organization of a musical composition #

Children can learn about musical form by moving in different ways to different sections of a piece of music, such as walking during the verse and jumping during the chorus. This helps them understand how music is organized.

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Improvisation

Improvisation is the act of creating music spontaneously without a predetermined… #

In music and movement activities, children can improvise movements in response to music, allowing them to express themselves creatively and develop their musicality.

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Kinesthetic Learning

Kinesthetic learning is a learning style that involves physical movement and han… #

Music and movement activities are particularly beneficial for kinesthetic learners as they provide opportunities to engage with music through movement, helping them retain information and develop skills.

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Melody

A melody is a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single entity #

Children can explore melodies through movement by dancing or moving in a way that reflects the rise and fall of the notes. This helps them understand the structure and phrasing of a melody.

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Orff Schulwerk

Orff Schulwerk is an approach to music education developed by German composer Ca… #

It emphasizes active music-making through singing, playing instruments, and movement. Orff instruments such as xylophones and metallophones are often used in music and movement activities for children.

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Pitch

Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of a sound #

Children can explore pitch through movement by moving up or down in response to changes in pitch in music. This helps them develop a sense of pitch and understand how it contributes to the overall musical experience.

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Rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern of beats or time values in music #

Children can learn about rhythm through movement activities such as clapping, stomping, or playing percussion instruments in time with the music. This helps them develop a sense of timing and coordination.

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Solfege

Solfege is a system of vocal syllables used to teach pitch and sight #

singing. The most common solfege syllables are do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do. Children can learn solfege through movement by associating each syllable with a specific movement or gesture, helping them internalize pitch relationships.

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Tempo

Tempo refers to the speed at which music is played #

Children can explore tempo through movement by moving quickly or slowly in response to changes in tempo in music. This helps them understand the expressive qualities of tempo and how it affects the mood of the music.

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Timbre

Timbre is the quality or color of a sound that distinguishes it from other sound… #

Children can explore timbre through movement by moving in a way that reflects the characteristics of different instruments or voices in a piece of music. This helps them develop an ear for timbral nuances.

16 #

Transition

A transition is a change from one section of music to another #

Children can learn about transitions through movement by moving in a way that reflects the change in mood or musical elements between sections. This helps them understand how transitions contribute to the overall structure of a piece of music.

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Visualization

Visualization is the process of creating mental images or pictures in response t… #

Children can engage in visualization through movement by moving in a way that reflects the mood or imagery of the music. This helps them connect emotionally with the music and enhance their listening experience.

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Whole Body Listening

Whole body listening involves using all parts of the body to engage with music a… #

Children can practice whole body listening in music and movement activities by moving their bodies in response to different musical elements such as rhythm, dynamics, and form. This helps them develop a holistic understanding of music.

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Xylophone

A xylophone is a percussion instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars of… #

Xylophones are often used in music and movement activities for children to explore pitch, rhythm, and melody through playing and moving to the sound of the instrument.

20 #

Yoga for Kids

Yoga for kids is a form of physical activity that combines movement, breath work… #

Incorporating yoga into music and movement activities can help children develop body awareness, focus, and relaxation skills, enhancing their overall well-being and musical experiences.

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Zeal for Music

Zeal for music refers to a strong enthusiasm or passion for music #

Music and movement activities can ignite children's zeal for music by providing them with opportunities to explore, create, and express themselves through movement and sound. This enthusiasm can inspire a lifelong love of music.

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