EYFS / KS1 Music: Encouraging listening

Bring the Noise > Teacher Techniques > Activities and games

Missing instruments is a great game to encourage listening as well as introducing them to following a conductor.

It would be helpful to have instrument sections that have different timbres to make the game easier for your children. Similarly, the rhythms that you use must be simple and allow space for the other sections to be heard.

Curriculum notes

These clips are suitable for teaching music at EYFS and Key Stage 1 in England, Foundation in Wales, Early Years and Foundation KS1 in Northern Ireland and Early and First Level in Scotland.

More from Teacher techniques

Teacher techniques - Teaching melodies

Teacher techniques - Teaching melodies

Teach primary school children music by getting them to take part in and create melodies.

Teacher techniques - Ha! (Ensemble music)

Teacher techniques - Ha! (Ensemble music)

Try out teaching music with an ensemble for key stage one children.

Teacher techniques - 1, 2, 3, 4 (Teaching basic rhythms)

Teacher techniques - 1, 2, 3, 4 (Teaching basic rhythms)

A simple game using the four beat pattern to teach children at primary school about the basics of music.

Teacher techniques - 1 to 10 (Group activities)

Teacher techniques - 1 to 10 (Group activities)

Build a sense of togetherness when teaching music to primary school children.

Teacher techniques - 8-4-2-1 (Energising children)

Teacher techniques - 8-4-2-1 (Energising children)

Get children active in the classroom or outside with this game for key stage one primary school pupils.

Teacher techniques - Do-Re-Mi (Understanding pitch)

Teacher techniques - Do-Re-Mi (Understanding pitch)

A game for teachers to use with primary school pupils to build an understanding of pitch in music.

Teacher techniques - Swampee (High and low pitch)

Teacher techniques - Swampee (High and low pitch)

Turn recognising changes in pitch into an energetic game with this activity.

Teacher techniques - High Low (Teaching different pitches)
video

Teacher techniques - High Low (Teaching different pitches)

Use the game High Low to teach primary school children about pitches music.

Teacher techniques - Wizard Hat (Teaching Conducting)

Teacher techniques - Wizard Hat (Teaching Conducting)

Introduce the concept of conducting in music to primary school children at key stage one.

Teacher techniques - Teaching rhythms

Teacher techniques - Teaching rhythms

A music activity video tutorial that helps introduce rhythmic exercises.

Teacher techniques - Composing rhythms

Teacher techniques - Composing rhythms

A musical activity that helps create and develop new rhythms.

Teacher techniques - Mirror me (Synchronisation)

Teacher techniques - Mirror me (Synchronisation)

A game that develops leading an ensemble and a sense of pulse among a group.

Teacher techniques - Forbidden rhythm (Patterns and Attention)

Teacher techniques - Forbidden rhythm (Patterns and Attention)

A simple to set up game that is a fun way to use call and response whilst introducing new rhythms.

Teacher techniques - Sound detectives (Conducting and Attention)

Teacher techniques - Sound detectives (Conducting and Attention)

A music activity designed to encourage listening and develop musical terminology.

Teacher techniques - Composing melodies

Teacher techniques - Composing melodies

For teaching primary school music, get your class composing a melody together.

Teacher techniques - Pat Pat Clap (Collective pulse)

Teacher techniques - Pat Pat Clap (Collective pulse)

Help your class develop a sense of pulse with this simple music game.

Teacher techniques - Mexican clap (Pulse and coordination)

Teacher techniques - Mexican clap (Pulse and coordination)

Use the Mexican Clap game to teach primary school children about pitch and coordination in music.