Ensemble Play!

Ensemble plays help children develop important learning skills.  For an ensemble to work each child must listen to and follow directions; this requires active listening, comprehension, and self control.  It’s not easy to wait your turn to play a percussion instrument that you’re holding in your hands.  Like all skills self-control has to be practiced.  We need to create opportunities for our children to develop self control at time other than moments when self control in mandated.  Ensemble play is a perfect opportunity.  The child doesn’t have to exercise self control for very long and is rewarded by being part of a fun musical activity or story.  Social skills are also developed through ensemble play.  Turn taking and experiencing the results of a group working together create positive social experience for a child to build on in other settings.   The following video is an ensemble activities from our Young Child class.