{"id":1155,"date":"2020-06-25T14:38:07","date_gmt":"2020-06-25T14:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/youthmusicinitiative\/?page_id=1155"},"modified":"2020-06-29T11:23:36","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T11:23:36","slug":"making-music-outdoors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/sb\/youthmusicinitiative\/music-in-early-years\/making-music-outdoors\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Music Outdoors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Learn O<\/em>utdoors<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2018Outdoor learning experiences are often remembered for a lifetime. Integrating learning and outdoor experiences, whether through play in the immediate grounds or adventures further afield, provide relevance and depth to the curriculum in ways that are difficult to achieve indoors.\u2019<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning\u2019. Education Scotland<\/span><\/h3>\n

After a recent study, it was found that 75% of children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates. Both adults and children benefit from time in the outdoors and outdoor learning is an integral part of the Recovery Curriculum for the return to school in August.<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Environment<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Providing opportunities for music outdoors \u00a0is a great way to support children\u2019s sensory development as well as their creativity.\u00a0\u00a0 Musical resources outside allow children to access instruments independently\u00a0 and work together\u00a0 improvising or helping each other learn through exploration of different instruments and the sounds they create.<\/span><\/h3>\n

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A Music Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>Involve the children to find out what sounds they would like and the materials which could be used. Involving the parents as well, encourages them to donate unwanted items such as pots and pans, plastic buckets, and kitchen utensils which can be attached \u00a0to a fence or upright pallet to create a music wall.<\/p>\n

Can you create a xylophone from different lengths of wood or pipes to create an instrument?<\/p>\n

This blog page at Creative Stars Learning gives some other ideas for Creating a Music wall<\/a><\/p>\n

Musical Instruments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why not store some musical instruments outside? This will allow children to explore them without disturbing other children\u2019s play inside the setting. Just be aware of how close they are to other classrooms in use.<\/p>\n

Select a range of instruments to put onto shelving. Use a tarpaulin or plastic table cloth to create a cover which can be held in place with bungee cord. Create shadows for the children to return instruments to their rightful place.<\/p>\n

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Loose Parts<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Loose parts have endless possibilities for musical creations. The different materials loose parts are made from, the different surfaces and different locations allow children to explore the vast range of sounds possible in their environment.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n

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\"What<\/a>Drum Outdoors <\/strong>~ a \u00a0phonological awareness activity<\/em><\/p>\n

Each child needs to find a \u2018beater\u2019 \u2013 could be a kitchen utensil or stick.\u00a0 Encourage the children to explore the outdoor area and discover the different sounds which can be made by using their \u2018beater\u2019. It doesn\u2019t have to be hitting, it could be stroking.<\/p>\n

Ask the children to share their favourite sound with the group.<\/p>\n

Why not create \u2018a band\u2019 so the children can compose a piece of music with these?<\/p>\n

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Gather Time<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

From the dawn of time, communities from around the globe have gathered to eat, sing and dance developing a sense of belonging and togetherness. <\/span><\/h3>\n

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Campfire singing!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>Whether at the end of a session, at snack time, during a forest school type activity or with a small group, gather round and sing songs together as if sitting round a campfire. Action songs are great if the weather is a bit chilly as it keeps the children moving.<\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t confident to hold a tune, remember the words or actions, why not use the YMI videos to support you? Take a phone or iPad with you to support your lead.<\/p>\n

Videos can be accessed on the YMI YouTube Channel<\/a> or other other pages in this\u00a0Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

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Realising the Ambition<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

In this Education Scotland document we find on page 31\u00a0<\/span>the following \u00a0statements.<\/p>\n