Change—especially for children in any capacity—is hard, but one thing always helps…music! Here are 3 quick tips on how music-based rituals can help alleviate transitions (like drop-off times and hand washing) and enhance child and family engagement. 

3 Ways Educators Can Use Music-Based Rituals to Reduce Stress for Families

1. Share new school year musical rituals with families before classes begin. Want to use a “good morning” song as children log on or walk through the classroom door? That’s a great way to help set the tone for the day and mitigate emotional drop-off times. But if parents and caregivers don’t know the routine, it can make it awkward for everyone. Email a notice of all new routines or, better yet, make a video demonstrating how they’ll be used, and encourage families to start using them at home first! 
2. Support physical distancing AND social-emotional development with seated or outdoor musical activities. You can still lead in-person music and movement activities while the children are seated or standing at their tables or desks. Ideally, you can take the whole class outside to allow them to move, sing, and play a bit more freely! Either option is perfect for moving them from one subject to another, refocusing little ones who might be overwhelmed with energy, and reinforcing that critical social-emotional connection.
   
3. Keep learners engaged at home with songs that connect to each lesson. One of the most difficult parts of a new learning curve is helping families recreate classroom activities at home. In order to boost the power of repetition, give families access to (and instructions for) the songs or rhymes you’re teaching. Help them “activate” learning by pairing these songs and rhymes with fingerplays, small hand motions, or “homemade” instruments (think: a pot and a wooden spoon, depending on age). Not only is it fuel for bonding, it encourages parents and caregivers to repeat activities and reinforce strategies after class!
   

Stream Our Free Music Rituals Album

We know that sometimes the hardest part of implementing any music activity is finding the perfect playlist. That’s why we added our Kindermusik Rituals Album to our free app! Download it on the Apple Store or Google play, and find the album in our free music library.

So, what’s the ultimate goal? Upholding learning requirements while keeping your children’s social-emotional development in check, whatever your teaching environment may be.

Our Music Rituals Workshop Can Help

Did you know that we offer a 1-hour on-demand workshop on this exact topic? All participants receive actionable takeaways, a certificate of completion, and more! Get the details here.

Learn more about how Kindermusik supports schools, early learning centers, and early childhood advocates!