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Montessori-Inspired Music Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

July 17, 2015 By Deb Chitwood 12 Comments

Previous article: Free Pioneer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pioneer Activities
Next article: Montessori Monday – Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs

I LOVE sharing musical activities with young children. Music was my top extracurricular activity when I was in elementary- and high school, and I’ve never lost my love of music. Even when I was a Montessori school director and no longer teaching full-time in my Montessori school, I still taught music twice a week … simply because I had too much fun with it to stop. It was also one of my favorite subjects to teach as a homeschooler.

 

There’s SO MUCH you can do with music in Montessori education. I can’t cover it all here, but I do want to share some of the main ways you can explore music with toddlers and preschoolers either in the classroom or at home. I won’t go into detail about the Montessori bells since they aren’t very practical for the home environment. I really loved having them in my school, but I wouldn’t purchase them for a homeschool.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

The Montessori Music Scope and Sequence, including the Montessori Bells

Although music is a cultural subject, it’s sometimes included in Montessori trainings as part of the sensorial (auditory) curriculum:

  • sound boxes – See “DIY Montessori Sound Cylinders” for tutorials and presentation ideas.
  • bells – See What DID We Do All Day? if you’d like to make DIY versions of the Montessori bells and green boards. Grace and Green Pastures has DIY Montessori bells.
  • writing music – green boards
  • reading music – white boards
  • listening to music
  • musical instruments
  • rhythm
  • walking on the line to music
  • dancing

Circle Time Activities with Nursery Rhymes and Traditional Preschool Songs

Even if you’re trying to follow Montessori principles, I think it’s great to introduce a wide variety of traditional nursery rhymes and preschool songs. I don’t worry about whether or not they reflect reality. I think the sense of rhythm and the love of music young children gain is far more important than whether a specific song or rhyme is realistic.

Favorite CDs for Babies and Toddlers

This post lists some of my favorite CDs that work especially well for both babies and toddlers: Favorite CDs for Babies and Toddlers.

I have some new favorite CDs, too. Nancy Kopman (Music with Nancy) sent me copies of her 3 CDs to review. My granddaughter, Zoey, and I fell in love with them. They have a sweet folk-like feel to them, and the songs give positive messages to children or have helpful learning ideas. There are even some songs that work especially well for babies and toddlers.

Nancy’s albums are used in many schools, including Montessori schools. I can see why because they’re fun with a calming feel to them. They work very well with Montessori circle time/line time activities. They’re available on iTunes.

Wonderful You by Nancy Kopman

There are even some fun songs specifically for babies in Wonderful You. There are also songs for toddlers and preschoolers. “Stepping” is great for walking on the line, and “Wonderful You” is a sweet song promoting self-esteem.

I Know I'll Grow by Nancy Kopman

Zoey’s favorite song from I Know I’ll Grow is “Hello, Hello.” It focuses on body parts and has a very catchy melody. (Actually, all of Nancy’s songs have catchy melodies.) “Planets, Planets” is an especially fun educational song.

Fingerplays and Action Songs are Perfect for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Fingerplays and Action Songs are Perfect for Toddlers and Preschoolers

In the photo, Zoey is doing one of the actions to “Hello, Hello.”

The Seasons by Nancy Kopman

I think all three albums are great. If I could only choose one of the albums for preschoolers or Montessori preschool (primary) classes though, The Seasons is the one I’d choose. It has a number of songs that are perfect for circle time activities. Here’s a YouTube video of “Walk Around,” one of the songs I like to use for moving on the line:

And I love “7 Continents, 5 Oceans” as an extension for Montessori continent work. Here’s a YouTube video of that song:

Here’s Nancy’s YouTube channel so you can get a better idea of her lovely music: Music with Nancy.

Having Fun with Nancy Kopman's Music with Nancy

Here are some more activities to fun songs by Music with Nancy: Having Fun with Nancy Kopman’s Music with Nancy.

You’ll also find a variety of music ideas for circle time in my post “Free Educational Songs for Circle Time” (and the related holiday and seasonal song posts linked to at the end of the post).

Introducing Classical Music to Young Children

Using Classical Music for Movement Activities on the Line

Using Classical Music for Movement Activities on the Line

I start introducing classical music to babies. I simply play classical CDs, similar to the Montessori tradition of having art masterpieces in a baby’s room. For toddlers, I like to have classical music as background music, and I also like to introduce walking on the line to classical music. (Note: I use electrical tape to make my line. When I had a Montessori school, my line was in the shape of an ellipse because of the available space. Now my line is in the shape of a circle.)

For preschoolers, I introduce classical stories to music. My favorites are on Maestro Classics CDs and MP3s. A favorite starting point is Peter and the Wolf. I have Montessori-inspired music appreciation activity posts for most of the Maestro Classics albums. I use the Maestro Classics CDs with Zoey, too, although I simply play the complete musical compositions as background music until she’s a bit older.

Musical Composers Layout

Musical Composers Layout

Preschoolers can easily learn about musical composers along with many classical music concepts.

How to Have Fun with Classical Music for Toddlers and Preschoolers

You’ll find more fun classical music activities in my post on “How to Have Fun with Classical Music for Toddlers and Preschoolers.”

Be sure to check out Carolyn Lucento’s Magical Movement Company for awesome Montessori musical activities of all kinds for young children. She’s where I first learned about West Music (the company where I purchased the music for the above post)! She even has Musically Montessori ecourses.

Using Rhythm Instruments at Circle Time (or line time if your line is in the shape of an ellipse)

I still have a set of rhythm instruments from when I had a Montessori school. We often used them in our homeschool, and I now use them with my granddaughter. We use them to accompany all types of music.

Playing the Drum at 19 Months

Playing the Drum at 19 Months

Playing Cymbals at 20 Months

Playing Cymbals at 20 Months

Learning to Use Finger Cymbals at 20 Months

Learning to Use Finger Cymbals at 20 Months

Introducing Young Children to Musical Instruments

Playing the Xylophone at 20 Months

Playing the Xylophone at 20 Months

I like to begin by introducing real musical instruments whenever I can. I enjoy playing guitar to accompany kids’ songs, so that’s one of my first introductions I give to musical instruments. I’ve played soprano recorder for Zoey, and we have two authentic drums that Zoey uses along with her other drum for rhythm activities. Zoey also likes to use a xylophone.

Musical Instrument Picture and Object Matching

Musical Instrument Picture and Object Matching

Hands-on activities help preschoolers identify musical instruments. Preschoolers can learn to identify the sound of each instrument as well.

Walking on the Line in Time to Music (or Marching, Skipping, Jumping, etc., on the Line in Time to Music)

Walking on the Line at 20 Months

Walking on the Line at 20 Months

Sanford Jones had wonderful music for movement on the line back when I was a Montessori teacher. At the time, I used his book of piano music for moving on the line. Now, there’s a CD that’s perfect for classrooms or homes.

Walking on the Line and Rhythmic Activities on the Line

Dancing

Dancing to "Waltzing Matilda" at 19 Months

Dancing to “Waltzing Matilda” at 19 Months

My daughter danced a lot from the time she started walking. Zoey loves to dance, too, although her natural dance style is different from Christina’s. For toddlers, I simply encourage spontaneous dancing to a variety of music. In the photo, Zoey is dancing to world music from the CD that came with the Little Passports Early Explorers Music package.

With older preschoolers, it’s fun to teach traditional folk dances. My daughter loved starting ballet lessons as a preschooler, too.

Montessori-Inspired Music Units

For all my Montessori-inspired music activities, see my “Montessori-Inspired Music Unit Studies” post.

Montessori-Inspired Music Unit Studies

This post is part of the 12 Months of Montessori Learning series!

Amazing blogs involved in the 12 Months of Montessori Learning

Natural Beach Living ~ The Natural Homeschool ~ Living Montessori Now ~ Planting Peas

The Kavanaugh Report ~ Mama’s Happy Hive ~ Study at Home Mama ~ Child Led Life

Every Star Is Different ~ Grace and Green Pastures ~ The Pinay Homeschooler

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Previous article: Free Pioneer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pioneer Activities
Next article: Montessori Monday – Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs

Filed Under: Activities - Cultural, Activities - Sensorial Tagged With: 12 Months of Montessori Learning, Montessori, Montessori music, Montessori-inspired music unit studies, music, music appreciation, music scope and sequence, preschoolers, toddler, toddlers, walking on the line

Previous Post: « Free Pioneer Printables and Montessori-Inspired Pioneer Activities
Next Post: Montessori Monday – Reinforcing Letter Sounds with Phonics Songs »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renae says

    July 17, 2015 at 4:45 am

    What a great post with so many ideas and things to think about! I love all the music recommendations and the adorable pictures of Zoey. Thank you for giving a layout of the Montessori Music Scope!

    Reply
  2. kimberly says

    July 17, 2015 at 7:02 am

    So many wonderful activities and great information. Thanks so much for sharing

    Reply
  3. Elaine Goh says

    July 17, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Such an awesome post with an abundance of resources and ideas! Thank you so much, now I know where to go when we’re ready to dive deeper into music education. How did you get that blue line on your circle rug?

    Reply
  4. Jae M says

    July 17, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    I am so amazed of the creative ideas you can come up with Deb! You are truly inspiring. I love all of these activities and how you are able to tone it to suit little toddlers! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  5. The Natural Homeschool says

    July 18, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    This is such a great list of ideas and resources! Love it all!

    Reply
  6. Marie says

    July 20, 2015 at 2:04 am

    I really love the collection of circle time music. I always struggle to screen good music for my children to listen to. Thank you for making that much easier!

    Reply
  7. Nicole says

    July 20, 2015 at 8:24 pm

    I love that you incorporate music even with the littlest toddlers!

    Reply
  8. Vanessa says

    July 22, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I have wanted to learn more about how to incorporate walking on the line. Thank you so much for this wonderful collection of great music and ideas for “line” activities! 🙂 I can’t wait to try these with Little Bee!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Tammy says

    July 26, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    I think my shopping list just grew a crazy amount reading your post! So many great ideas and I love seeing Zoey showing them off!

    Reply
  10. Shauna says

    August 12, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Exceptional! It’s so important to get music into their lives so early, I’ll be trying these with my nephews, thanks for the share.

    Reply
  11. Lora says

    July 5, 2016 at 12:54 am

    thanks for sharig

    Reply
  12. Samuel T. Cummins says

    July 5, 2016 at 1:03 am

    Every kid is unique so look for ways to foster the artistic expression that’s already within them. My little girl probably already loves music and has her favorite songs. I always think music as a powerful tool that helps children learn new thinking skills..

    Reply

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The activities shared on this blog require adult supervision at all times. You know which activities are appropriate for your children and/or the children under your care and are responsible for those children's safety.

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