Music Enrichment As The "Specials" Slot When Art And Gym Are Full

We talk with a lot of directors who have the same scheduling problem. Art is on one day. Gym or movement is on another. There's still an open spot in the week, and the teachers would like something for the kids that isn't another round of free play in the classroom.

Then winter comes, outdoor time gets cut short, and that open spot matters more. Music enrichment is one of the easiest ways to fill it.

Why music works as a specials slot

Music covers a lot of ground in one class. Kids sing, listen, and follow directions. They take turns with instruments and wait for their part of a song. They also move, which is the part directors are often surprised by.

It also fits next to what you already have. If art is the quiet, sit-at-the-table special and gym is the big-movement special, music sits somewhere in between. Kids are up and moving for part of the class and sitting with an instrument for another part. That mix works well for a group that has a hard time with a full half hour of either one.

It's physical activity, too

A lot of people picture music class as kids sitting in a circle and singing. In our classes, kids also get up and move. We get them jumping, stretching, and moving their whole bodies along with the songs, and they're active for a good part of the class.

The CDC says children ages 3 to 5 should be physically active throughout the day for growth and development, and it suggests adults encourage active play like jumping. A music class gives your kids a block of that time, led by a teacher, without needing a gym. If movement is something your school wants more of, we also wrote about movement enrichment for preschools.

Why it helps most in winter

In the colder months, kids can go days without real outdoor play. Teachers feel it by mid-morning. The group gets restless, and it's hard to settle them for circle time or lunch.

A music class lets kids use up some of that energy. Kids jump and dance for a while, and then the songs slow down and they sit back down with a shaker or a drum. That can make the rest of the morning easier for your teachers. For more ideas on getting through the indoor months, see our posts on indoor activities for preschoolers in winter and indoor dance breaks to burn toddler energy.

What kids practice besides moving

The movement is a big part of class, but it isn't the only thing going on. Kids sing the same songs week after week, and over time they start to learn the words and join in sooner. They listen for when a song speeds up or stops. They wait for their turn with a drum and pass the shaker to the next child.

Those are skills your teachers work on all day, and a music class gives kids another place to practice them. Singing and rhyming also help with early language. We wrote more about that in our post on how music builds language and literacy in babies and toddlers.

How it fits into your schedule

Our preschool enrichment classes are 30 minutes long, and we teach two classes per hour. That means one visit can cover two groups back to back without taking over the whole morning.

Programs run anywhere from 6 to 40 weeks. You can have us weekly or every other week, and we offer classes during the school day or after school. You could start with a winter session to cover the months when kids are inside the most, then decide whether to keep going. Our curriculum is aligned to early childhood standards, so it supports what your teachers are already working on.

What you need on your end

You don't need much. We bring the instruments, including shakers and drums. You need a room where the kids can sit together and also have space to move around. A classroom with the tables pushed to the side usually works.

👉 If you have an open specials slot this winter, contact us or call 732-205-1971. We'll help you figure out a schedule that fits your groups.

Thanks for reading,
The Rockness Crew
Rockness Music