14/09/2023
Rhythm and Regulation Through Musical Play
We always begin and end our Musical Play classes with predictable sung routines such as singing the Hello Song incorporating each child's name as we go around singing to each child. We include familiar nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Humpty Dumpty, Hickory Dickory Dock, because these songs contain al the rhythms of early childhood: walking, running, skipping, galloping. We are constantly matching the children's energy levels.
In the middle section of the Musical Play class the children typically need to move and explore from a sensory perspective and props and quality musical instruments are used to develop timing, rhythmic patterning, pitch direction and tuneful singing, understanding of directionality, spatial awareness, social skills, following sung instructions, sung routines and singing about what the children are doing.
Once we see children have reached a peak with their energy and arousal levels, we gradually bring them back to a place of regulation and calm.
When children are cuddled, rocked by their caregiver, the caring adults strengthen the primary association between Rhythm and Regulation. The complex memory of what regulation feels like is reinforced by these loving interactions during the "Cuddle Song" .
We slow the tempo of the " "Goodbye Song" and sing softly for the final song " Music Time is finished now". Thus children feel connected, supported and safe through the predictable structure of musical form and the music programme. " According to Dr Bruce Perry: The essence of health and well being is Rhythm and Regulation." Rhythm is essential to a healthy body and a healthy mind".
