1.5: Incorporating Music into Daily Routines

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you should be able to:

• Discuss the various ways Music can be integrated into daily routines.

Introduction to Integrating Music into Daily Routines

Music is a powerful tool that can enrich the daily routines of preschoolers, toddlers, and infants. It supports various aspects of development, including language, emotional regulation, motor skills, and social interaction. This chapter explores practical strategies for integrating music into everyday activities, making learning engaging and enjoyable for young children. By incorporating music into daily routines, educators can create a dynamic and interactive environment that fosters holistic development and a lifelong appreciation for music.

Below, you will explore many ideas for incorporating music into various times of the day for preschoolers, toddlers, and infants. Some of the songs mentioned in the reading include a link to a video of the song.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): The effect of music on the brain

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Music play

Preschoolers

Preschool teachers can very easily integrate music into their daily routines with the children.  Read the vignette below to see how one teacher uses music in the classroom at various times of the day.  

 Preschool Music Vignette

The preschool classroom hums with the energy of a new day as children trickle in, hanging up backpacks and greeting friends. Miss Tasha strums her ukulele softly, filling the room with a familiar tune. “Good morning, everyone! Let’s sing our welcome song!” she says cheerfully.

The children gather on the rug as Miss Tasha begins:
"Hello, hello, how are you?
Hello, hello, I’m glad to see you!"

The children sway and clap along, some singing the words while others chime in with giggles and waves.

---

Later in the morning, as the class transitions to clean-up time, Mr. Devin presses play on a lively song about tidying up.

“Listen! The music tells us it’s time to clean!” he announces.

The children start putting away toys, matching their movements to the rhythm.

“Blocks in the bin, tap, tap, tap!” he sings, and a few children echo him as they place blocks in the basket.

---

During outdoor play, Miss Tasha leads a game of Freeze Dance.

She plays an upbeat song on the speaker, and the children twirl, hop, and wiggle.

When the music stops, they freeze in funny poses, erupting into laughter before starting again.

---

At lunch, a quiet lullaby plays in the background, helping to set a calm mood.

“Soft music helps our bodies slow down while we eat,” Mr. Devin says, modeling deep breaths.

A few children instinctively sway as they munch on their sandwiches.

---

As the day winds down, Miss Tasha gathers the children on the rug for their goodbye song. She strums the ukulele again, and the children join in.  

“It's time to go, we had fun today,

We'll see each other another day!"

One by one, they wave goodbye, their voices soft and happy, carrying the day’s music home with them.

Here are additional ideas for preschool teachers to incorporate music into daily routines, making learning engaging and supporting children's development:

Use Simple Songs to Guide Children Through Transitions 

Morning Arrival

Sing a greeting song like “Good Morning to You.”

Clean-Up Time

Use songs like “Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Everywhere”  or "Clean Up the Room", to signal tidying.

Lining up or Moving Locations

Sing a marching or rhythm-based song.  "The Line Up Song" or "Let's March".

Include Music as a Central Part of Circle Time

• Welcome or Name Recognition Songs: Sing welcome or name recognition songs to promote social skills, such as "Good Morning Songs." 
• Calendar, Weather, or Theme Songs:  Incorporate songs about the calendar, weather, or themes (e.g., seasons or animals). Jack Hartman has songs about each month and about seasons. 
  • "January", "It's the Season of Winter"
  • "March",  "It's the Season of Spring"
  • "June",  "Have Fun This Summer"
  • "September",  "Let's Have Fall Fun"
• Musical Instruments: Use musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or rhythm sticks during group songs.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Musical instrument play

Movement and Gross Motor Development

Combine Music with Movement Activities

• Encourage Physical Activity: Play songs like “The Hokey Pokey” or “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” to encourage physical activity.
• Dance Parties or Movement Breaks: Use music for dance parties or movement breaks during the day.
• Explore Cultural Dances: Explore cultural dances or movements to introduce diversity.

Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Dancing play.

Storytime Songs

Pair Songs with Books or Create Musical Story Experiences

• Repetitive Refrains:  Sing repetitive refrains in books like The Wheels on the Bus or If You’re Happy and You Know It.

• Instrumental Sound Effects:  Incorporate instrumental sound effects to match story elements such as "Tiptoe Joe" or "The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything"

Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Music-related book.

Naptime

Use Calming Music to Help Children Relax

• Instrumental Lullabies or Nature Sounds: Play soft, instrumental lullabies or nature sounds during naptime.    Relaxing Deep Sleep Music for Rest Time

• Self-Soothing: Encourage children to hum or sing quietly to self-soothe before rest.

Thematic Learning

Introduce Songs Related to the Classroom Theme

• Animals Unit: Sing songs like “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” or “Baby Shark.”

• Transportation Unit: Use songs like “Down by the Station.”

Exploring Musical Instruments

Provide Opportunities to Explore Simple Instruments

• Create Rhythm Patterns: Use drums, tambourines, or shakers to create rhythm patterns.
• Homemade Instruments: Explore homemade instruments, like rubber band guitars or tissue box drums.
• Free Play: Allow free play with instruments during centers.

Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): Instruments for children.

Cultural Exploration

Introduce Music from Different Cultures

• Folk Songs and Traditional Music: Play recordings of folk songs or traditional music from various countries.
• Simple Songs and Dances: Teach children simple songs or dances from different parts of the world to celebrate diversity.

Snack and Mealtime Songs

Sing songs about food or eating habits during snack time:

• Healthy Eating Songs: Use songs like “I’m a Little Teapot” with new lyrics about healthy eating.
• Gratitude Songs: Sing a thank-you or gratitude song before meals.  "Thank you, All Around the World"

Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): Thank you song.

Emotional Expression

Use Music to Help Children Express Emotions

• Songs About Feelings: Sing songs about feelings (e.g., “If You’re Happy and You Know It” with new emotions like sad, mad, or excited).
• Calm Corner: Use music to create a “calm corner” where children can relax or process emotions.

Music in Outdoor Play

Take Music Outdoors

• Sing While Playing: Sing while swinging or playing games like “Ring Around the Rosie.”
• Portable Instruments: Provide portable instruments or play music for free movement and dance outside.
• Music Wall or Hanging Music Station: Try creating a Music Wall or a Hanging Music Station.

Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Music play areas.

Create a Music Center

Dedicate a Classroom Space for Musical Exploration

• Stock with Instruments: Include instruments, sheet music, and headphones for independent or group play.
• Rotate Materials: Rotate materials to keep children interested and engaged.
• Teach Songs in Group Time: Teach the children the songs in group time and provide song charts with pictures so they can sing the songs themselves.
• Provide Flannelboards and Props: Offer flannelboards and props for the children to play with while they sing the songs.

Figure \(\PageIndex{9}\): Music center.

Celebrate Special Events

Incorporate music into celebrations:

• Sing birthday songs or create a special “Happy Birthday March.”
• Use music for holiday events or classroom parties, such as carols or festive dances.

Teacher-Made Songs

Create simple, custom songs with children’s names or specific learning goals:

• Sing about daily routines, classroom rules, or topics like counting and the alphabet.
• Use familiar tunes like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Frère Jacques” with new lyrics.

Incorporating music in these ways makes routines smoother, builds skills across multiple domains, and fosters a joyful classroom atmosphere.

Toddlers

Toddler teachers can incorporate music into the daily routine in various ways to support toddlers' developmental milestones, including language development, emotional regulation, and motor skills. Music is engaging for toddlers and provides a multisensory experience that stimulates both their auditory and physical development.  Read the vignette below to explore how music engages the children and creates opportunities to further their development.

 Toddler Music Vignette

The morning sun filters through the classroom window as Miss Kayla hums a cheerful tune while greeting the toddlers.

“Good morning, friends!” she sings, tapping a small drum. Boom, boom, boom!

A few children eagerly pat their hands on their laps, mimicking the beat.

As the last child arrives, Miss Kayla strums her small ukulele and starts their morning song.

“Hello, hello, it's time to start the day!

Clap your hands and sing along,

We'll learn and laugh and play!"

Some toddlers clap, others sway side to side, and a few simply watch with wide eyes, taking it all in.

---

Later, during transition time, Mr. Jordan plays a cleanup song on the classroom speaker.

“Listen! The music says it’s time to clean up!” he announces, swaying to the rhythm as he picks up blocks.

The toddlers giggle and begin placing toys in the bins, some humming along as they work.

---

At snack time, Miss Kayla leads a simple fingerplay:
"Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap!"

Tiny hands mimic the motions, some more enthusiastically than others, but all engaged. As they settle at the table, she softly sings a familiar soft tune, creating a calm and cozy atmosphere.

---

Later in the day, the toddlers gather for music and movement. Mr. Jordan plays a lively animal song, and the children stomp like elephants, flap like birds, and wiggle like fish.

“Let’s jump like bunnies!” he calls, and soon the room is full of joyful bouncing.

---

As nap time approaches, Miss Kayla dims the lights and begins a soothing lullaby.

She gently pats the backs of the toddlers lying on their mats, her voice a soft hum against the quieting room. One by one, their eyelids grow heavy, drifting off to sleep to the rhythm of her song.

Below are several ideas for integrating music into a toddler’s day:

Singing Songs with Actions

Action Songs: Encourage toddlers to participate in songs with simple actions or gestures. For example, songs like "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" or "If You’re Happy and You Know It" allow toddlers to move their bodies and practice following instructions.

Personalized Songs: Sing songs that incorporate the child’s name to make them feel special, such as singing "This Is the Way We Say Hello" with each toddler’s name.

Figure \(\PageIndex{10}\): Head, shoulders, knees, and toes song.

Music During Transitions

Routine Songs: Use songs to signal transitions, such as clean-up songs or songs to help toddlers understand it’s time to change activities (e.g., “Time to Tidy Up” or “It’s Time for Circle Time”).

Calming Music for Transition: Play soft or calming music when toddlers are transitioning from one activity to another, such as from playtime to snack time, to help soothe and prepare them.

Play Musical Instruments

Simple Instruments: Introduce toddler-friendly instruments like tambourines, maracas, small xylophones, or drums.  Allow toddlers to explore these instruments by shaking, tapping, or banging them, which helps develop fine motor skills and an understanding of rhythm.

Instrument Exploration: Let toddlers experiment with different sounds, showing them how to create loud and soft sounds or high and low notes with various instruments.

Figure \(\PageIndex{11}\): Musical instrument play.

Rhythmic Movement and Dance

Dancing to the Beat: Encourage toddlers to dance, wiggle, or move their bodies to the rhythm of the music. Toddlers can clap, stomp, or sway in response to the music, which helps develop coordination and gross motor skills.

Movement Activities: Play songs that encourage specific movements like "Freeze Dance," where toddlers dance until the music stops and then freeze in place. This supports impulse control and coordination.

Music with Visual Elements

Music and Movement with Visuals: Use scarves, ribbons, or colorful streamers during music time to help toddlers engage in movement activities and explore textures while listening to different types of music.

Interactive Music Books: Play music and use interactive music books with buttons or features that allow toddlers to press and hear corresponding sounds, which can build cognitive and language skills.

Figure \(\PageIndex{12}\): Playing with scarves.

Sing Nursery Rhymes and Simple Melodies

Repetitive Rhymes: Sing familiar nursery rhymes such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “The Wheels on the Bus.” These rhymes help toddlers learn about rhyming patterns, increase vocabulary, and engage them in rhythm.  Visit The Imagination Tree Website to learn about a nursery rhyme basket.

Simple Melodies: Use simple and familiar melodies to help toddlers engage with music in a relaxed and enjoyable way, such as singing lullabies during quiet time or nap time.

Figure \(\PageIndex{13}\): Nursery rhyme singing basket.

Incorporate Music with Stories

Musical Storytelling: Integrate music into storytelling. For instance, you can sing parts of the story or add sound effects to bring the story to life. Toddlers can also participate by mimicking sounds and rhythms during the story.

Animal Sounds and Music: Use music to represent different animals or actions in stories, like the sound of a "roaring lion" or "flapping birds," encouraging toddlers to imitate these sounds with their own voices or instruments.

Use Music to Encourage Social Interaction

Group Singing Activities: Encourage toddlers to sing together, fostering social skills such as taking turns and sharing attention. Group activities like “Ring Around the Rosie” or “London Bridge” can help toddlers learn about cooperation.

Call-and-Response Songs: Engage toddlers in simple call-and-response songs where the teacher sings a line, and the toddlers repeat it. This promotes language development, memory, and attention.

Music for Emotional Regulation

Soothing Music for Calmness: Play gentle and calming music during quiet time or when toddlers need to wind down. This can help them regulate their emotions and settle down for naps or transitions.

Lively Music for Energizing: Use upbeat music to energize toddlers during active play times, such as dancing to lively songs or marching around the room.

Create Musical Rituals

Morning Welcome Songs: Greet toddlers with a welcoming song at the start of the day to create a positive and predictable routine. This can help toddlers feel more secure and excited about their day.

Goodbye Songs: Use a goodbye song at the end of the day, such as “Bye, Bye, Goodbye,” to create closure and transition toddlers to their next activity or prepare them for pick-up.

By incorporating music into their daily routine, toddler teachers can support the development of motor skills, language, cognitive abilities, and social-emotional learning. Music creates an interactive and fun environment that encourages participation, boosts learning, and helps toddlers feel connected to the world around them.

Infants

Infant teachers can incorporate music into the daily routine in a variety of ways to support cognitive, emotional, and social development. Music is a powerful tool for infants, as it helps stimulate sensory processing, encourages language development, and fosters emotional connection. Here are some ways infant teachers can include music throughout the day:

Singing Simple Songs

Interactive Songs: Sing simple, repetitive songs that infants can respond to, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." These songs can be accompanied by gestures or actions that help infants connect words with movements.

Personalized Songs: Sing songs that include the infant’s name to build a sense of identity and help with language development.

Figure \(\PageIndex{14}\): Singing to an infant.

 Infant Music Vignette

Infant teachers can easily integrate the signing of songs into their day.  Read the vignette below to see how effortlessly it is done.

The soft hum of Miss Lily’s voice fills the cozy infant room as she gently rocks in a chair, cradling baby Mateo in her arms. Around her, a few other babies sit on the plush rug, their wide eyes fixed on her face as she sings.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star…"

• Ava, lying on her tummy, kicks her legs and coos in response. Miss Lily smiles and leans toward her, exaggerating the motions of her fingers twinkling in the air.
• Carter, sitting nearby with a soft rattle in his hand, shakes it in rhythm to the song. “That’s right, Carter! You’re making music too!” Miss Lily encourages, her voice warm and inviting.

She transitions smoothly into “The Wheels on the Bus,” gently bouncing Mateo on her lap with each verse.

• As she sings about the wipers going “swish, swish, swish,” she softly moves Mia’s tiny hands back and forth, helping her engage with the rhythm.
• Mia giggles, her dark curls bouncing as she watches Miss Lily’s animated gestures.

Between songs, Miss Lily pauses to make eye contact with each child. “Who wants to hear the bumblebee song?” she asks with an excited whisper.

• A few of the infants babble in response, and she launches into “I’m Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee,” lightly tapping their hands as if tiny bees were buzzing around.

As the music-filled morning continues, the room is filled with laughter, claps, and tiny voices experimenting with new sounds. Through song, Miss Lily isn’t just entertaining—she’s fostering connection, language, and joy, one little note at a time.

Play Music During Transitions

Soothing Music: Use soft, calming music during transitions, such as nap time or diaper changes, to help infants settle down and create a predictable routine.

Upbeat Music: Play lively music when transitioning to more active periods, like playtime or mealtime, to energize and engage the infants.

Musical Instruments

Exploration of Instruments: Provide simple musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or small drums.  Allow infants to explore sounds by shaking, banging, or tapping these instruments, which enhances fine motor skills and auditory development.

Group Music Making: Guide a group of infants in playing instruments together. Even if they are not coordinated, the experience of making sound together helps develop social skills and cooperation.

Figure \(\PageIndex{15}\): Simple musical instruments for exploration.

Rhythmic Movement and Dancing

Body Movement: Encourage infants to move their bodies to the beat of the music, even if it’s just wiggling, clapping, or tapping their hands. This helps develop their gross motor skills and awareness of rhythm.

Parent-Infant Dance: During music time, encourage caregivers to gently sway or bounce with their infant to the music. This fosters bonding and provides a sensory-rich experience.

Nursery Rhymes and Vocal Play

Vocal Play: Engage infants in simple vocal play such as making animal sounds or singing with varying pitches and tones. This stimulates their auditory discrimination and speech development.

Nursery Rhymes: Recite and sing nursery rhymes that include rhyming patterns, repetitive phrases, and hand movements, which promote language development and memory.

Exposure to Different Types of Music

Variety of Genres: Play a range of musical genres such as classical, jazz, folk, and even different cultural music to expose infants to various sounds and rhythms. This can enhance sensory processing and introduce them to the diversity of music.

Live Music Experiences: If possible, provide live music experiences, such as a musician playing guitar or a parent or caregiver singing. This gives infants a direct connection to music-making and can engage them more deeply.

Music During Quiet Time or Naptime

Lullabies: Play soft lullabies during nap times to create a calm, soothing atmosphere. The repetitive, gentle melodies help signal to infants that it’s time to rest.

Soft Ambient Music: Use background music with calming, slow tempos to create a peaceful environment for napping or quiet activities.

Incorporating Music with Stories

Musical Storytime: Combine reading with music by adding songs or musical sounds that go along with the story. This enhances the overall sensory experience and keeps the infants engaged.

Sound Effects: Use music or simple sound effects (e.g., bell sounds, drums) to complement storytelling and bring the story to life.

Voice and Tone Exploration

Singing with Different Emotions: Sing songs with varying tones, from happy and energetic to slow and soothing, helping infants understand the connection between vocal tones and emotions.

Exaggerated Vocalizations: Use exaggerated voices to capture infants' attention and help them explore the sounds of different pitches, speeds, and volumes.

Music and Social Interaction

Interactive Music Games: Involve babies in social activities like “peek-a-boo” or “pat-a-cake” to music. These activities promote social engagement, turn-taking, and communication.

Group Music Activities: Use group music time to promote interaction with caregivers and peers. Even simple interactions, like clapping hands together or playing instruments side-by-side, support social bonding.

Incorporating music into the day helps infants develop language skills, emotional regulation, and cognitive awareness of the world around them. By using music in a fun, interactive way, teachers can create an engaging and rich environment for infants to explore and learn.

Figure \(\PageIndex{16}\): Peek-a-boo play.

Conclusion

Incorporating music into daily routines for preschoolers, infants, and toddlers creates a vibrant and enriching learning environment that enhances their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Whether through singing simple songs, playing instruments, or engaging in movement-based activities, music provides a foundation for children to explore language, rhythm, and self-expression.

• For infants, the soft melodies and rhythmic sounds promote early communication and sensory exploration.
• Toddlers enjoy the dynamic interactions of musical play, which helps them develop motor skills and engage in creative expression.
• Preschoolers benefit from more complex songs that foster memory, attention, and social cooperation as they sing, dance, and follow along with structured musical activities.

Across all age groups, music becomes a powerful tool for building connections, supporting learning, and creating a joyful atmosphere where children can explore, grow, and thrive.

References

This page is based on:

• OpenAI. (2024). What are ideas for preschool teachers to help them: Incorporate music into daily routines? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].
• OpenAI. (2024). How do toddler teachers incorporate music into the day? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].
• OpenAI. (2024). How do infant teachers incorporate music into the day? Retrieved December 12, 2024, from [ChatGPT].