Musically Montessori: Fill In Your Classroom Transition Times with 10 Classical Music Activities!

Carolyn 4:24 PM

MARIA MONTESSORI POINTS OUT TO US THAT VERY YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE SUCH SENSITIVE HEARING! THAT'S A GREAT REASON TO BRING CLASSICAL MUSIC TO THEM WHENEVER IT CAN BE SQUEEZED INTO THEIR BUSY DAYS.

There are those times in the daily routine when children have to wait a few minutes to move on to the next activity. Maybe it's just before lunch or a few minutes before pick-up time...

How about playing a minute or two of music with an emphasis on

developing listening skills in a fun and enjoyable way? This can be very engaging for young children.

First, invite the children to stimulate their sense of hearing by gently rubbing the edges of the ears. This helps the children focus on the listening experience and sensitizes the ears. (Similar to inviting the children to wash the fingers to sensitize them before tracing the Montessori sandpaper letters.)

I've found that with a bit of planning on my part, the little children can have so much fun that they will ask for these experiences over and over again!

It can easily become a daily occurrence. And, you can extend the activity by adding some rhythm instruments and inviting the children to hear the music again, and this time play along.

Showing a picture of the composer will further enrich the experience!

Here are ten captivating pieces of music from famous classical composers that I've found to be favorites of the children in my groups over the years.

I usually play the music for about a minute, so that the children get a sense of the melody and stay engaged. (my "one-minute rule")

TEN ENCHANTING PIECES OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

THAT CHILDREN WILL ENJOY

You can introduce each music piece by showing the composer's portrait and then give the vocabulary to the children (ex: "This is a picture of the composer of the music we will be listening to. His name is Beethoven.")

1. "Symphony #5" by Beethoven.

2. "Blue Danube Waltz" by Strauss.

3. "The Russian Dance" from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky

4. "Suite for Cello Solo: Prelude" by Bach

5. "Spring" from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

6. "Elephant" from Carnival of Animals by Camille Saint-Saens

7. "Sylvia Ballet Suite" by Delibes

8. "Flight of the Bumble Bee" from The Tale of Tsar Sultan by Rimsky-Korsakov

9. "Symphony #40" by Mozart

10. "Variations on Ah Vous Dirai-je Maman" by Mozart as a child

EXTENSIONS:

CONNECT TO CULTURAL STUDIES

You can do a little research about the composer beforehand and then tie in the continent globe and miniature flags to the continent and country where the composer was born.