Formal music experiences for age 2-3 years old children?

Question

formal and informal music experiences and formal and informal music and movement appropriate for young children

Answer 1

Ok, when I studied my Diploma in Children's Services, 'Formal' meant a planned group time for music and movement, and informal was more something that just happened.

2-3 year old children love music that is hands on, such as finger play rhymes, and music that they can do the actions to. Check out what the children are interested in and adapt music and movement to suit these interests. At a playgroup I used to help facilitate their were quite a few children interested in dinosaurs, so we sang dinosaur songs and moved around the room stomping our feet and roaring. We started with some 'settling' songs which were usually finger play songs like 'Open, Shut Them' and 'Incy Wincy Spider'.

For informal music, involve yourself with what the child is doing, and sing about it. If a child is building with blocks, sing 'Build them up, Build them up, build them higher' or 'We're going up'.