Have you noticed the increase in local parks and school playgrounds installing outdoor musical instruments? These installations go beyond providing additional play value. According to the Save the Music Foundation, “music has the potential to help students succeed in school, build self-confidence, and create leaders and well-rounded young people.”
In this blog, we will explore the benefits associated with playground musical instruments, from fostering inclusive play to integrating sensory play opportunities into the school curriculum.
The Benefits of Musical Play
Music has always been an inherently versatile medium, inspiring musicians to create melodies as a form of self-expression. This flexibility fosters an inclusive environment, enabling children to compose songs in ways that best showcase their individual strengths. PlayCore’s guidebook, 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design, states that:
“Flexible play environments celebrate the abilities of individuals, encourage full participation in play, and bring communities together through shared experiences with their family members, neighbors, and friends.”
This versatility can help children build self-confidence and empower them to find unique methods to accomplish everyday tasks.
Explore Playground Musical Instruments
We offer a wide selection of freestanding musical instruments that can be installed at a height accessible to children utilizing a mobility device, fostering inclusive play.
Our Beat Club and Drum Circle feature multiple accessible drums in one area, inspiring children to collaborate and make music together. Each drum has a flat surface that children can strike with the palm of their hand – no drumsticks necessary!
We also offer our Jazz Combo and Melody Chimes to really let your little ones’ inner composer soar! These chimes are precision-tuned and offer attached mallets to get the best sound possible.
Need help finding the perfect assortment of instruments for your community? Download our reference guide to understand the unique features of each instrument to optimize musical expression.
Classroom Learning Opportunities
Playground musical instruments aren’t just fun – they’re also educational!
All our instruments are precision-tuned and perfect for musical education. Children can use our chimes to learn scales, harmonization, and basic music theory, as well as many soft skills such as collaboration.
Musical instruments are also perfect for fostering sensory play, which helps students comprehend new material. When children learn in an environment that stimulates many senses at once, they will create new neuropathways faster and better understand the lesson. An excellent example of musical sensory play in schools would be assigning numbers to notes and using those notes to go over math equations.
Sensory play is also great for relieving pent-up energy, especially for children with sensory processing disorders. Children could play with the equipment before class starts to help burn energy and stay focused.
Want to learn more about how playground musical instruments can make a difference in your community? Request a copy of PlayCore’s Natural Harmony guidebook to read case studies and plan, design, activate, fund, and market an outdoor musical space.
Ready to Face the Music?
Playground musical instruments are an excellent addition to any playground, fostering inclusive play for children of all abilities. Their inherent versatility allows every child to have the opportunity to express themselves in their own unique way. Moreover, these instruments can enhance school curriculum, enriching subjects ranging from music to math.
Are you ready to face the music and bring musical play to your community? Contact a GameTime representative today to learn more about the difference musical play can make in your community.
