As a classically trained pianist and a ukulele player, I love music and believe that it needs to be represented more in the modern early childhood classroom. I often encourage my early childhood students (pre-service teachers) to go beyond Twinkle, twinkle, little star and Baby shark and try listening to classical music with children.
Classical music can be a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of music appreciation. Here are some suggestions for classical music pieces that may be suitable for a group of 3-5 y.o. children.
- “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns – This piece features different animals represented through music, making it a fun and engaging listen for young children.
- “Peter and the Wolf” by Sergei Prokofiev – Similar to “Carnival of the Animals,” this piece uses music to tell a story and features different characters represented by different instruments.
- “The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – This well-known ballet is a great introduction to classical music, with its recognizable melodies and engaging storyline.
- “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi – Each of the four seasons is represented through music in this piece, making it a great way to teach children about the changing seasons and how music can represent different moods and feelings.
- “Peer Gynt Suite” by Edvard Grieg – This piece includes the famous “In the Hall of the Mountain King” which is lively and energetic, perfect for children. It is one of my favourite compositions to listen to with children. Hall of the Mountain king is a perfect composition for walking on tiptoes and marching.
Remember to make it a fun and interactive experience, encourage children to move along with the music (I use rainbow scarves; rainbow streamers and a lot of dress-ups , e.g. butterfly wings, animal tales and masks) or try to identify different instruments they hear. Another great extension is to paint or draw while listening to classical music.
What are your favourite classical music compositions?
