Sequences & Patterns for Preschoolers

Parenting Tip: Discover sequencing through musical form – like the Pirate Treasure Dance!

 

Why?

Pattern awareness is crucial to learning and memory.  Just as in reading stories, singing and rhythmic speech expose participants directly to the patterns of language including rhythm, speech sounds, syntax, and rhyme.  With sequencing, we are able to put things in order form the first to the last.  Practicing this skill helps children prepare for reading comprehension & daily activities such as following a list of directions or instructions. Being able to break down a task into steps is also important in learning self-management, because appropriate sequencing helps a child reduce frustration and increase success. 

 

How?

Make up your own movement sequence to the Pirate Treasure Dance (on Kindermusik's Make Believe CD)!

play a royal Math Game! 

Then, Parrot the Pirate!  How many phrases can your child echo?  Can they remember the sequence?  What if you and your child made up your own sequence of echoes? 

Cue up the Parrot Talk song, on Kindermusik's Make Believe CD.  Play a sequencing game with pretend parrots on the beach.  (Fly like parrots during the instrumental parts, and echo the parrot whenever he speaks). 

 

Want to Learn More?

On our blog - read 10 Reasons Why Music Belongs in Our Schools!

 

Kindermusik's 7-Year Continuum:

As a baby, your child relied on you to move her body to the patterns in the music.  In toddler classes, your child watched how you moved to musical patterns, and he imitated your movements with his own body.  Now, as a preschooler, your child is discovering musical sequences on their own (the parrots fly during the instrumental part, and they stop to talk during the speaking parts – hey, it's a pattern!)  As a big kid in Young Child class, your child will discover sequences and patterns in the musical notation he is reading (look!  Both of those melody cards have C C A rest in them!)