When it comes to choosing a space to do your music making, you may not have a lot of different options. This might especially be the case when you are completing these activities at home and if there are other family members who are also in the house. However, even if you have limited options of where to complete musical activities, there are certain things you can do in any space to try and create the most positive environment you can for meaningful and productive music making. Some key takeaways include:
Choosing an environment which your child feels comfortable in and that has some level of privacy from the rest of the house
Covering up distractions in the room with blankets/fabric
Setting up the room prior to any music making activities to make the session as positive as possible
Choosing the space:
As mentioned above, you may not have a lot of choice when it comes to choosing a space in your home to take part in musical activities. However, a quiet area of your house with the least amount of distraction is important so that you can both focus and be present in the moment.
If you think your child may benefit from watching the music videos alongside the audio, it is also worth considering if you want a TV in the room or if a tablet or laptop is sufficient for your child to watch the videos.
It may only be possible to use a space which is multi-functional and may have lots of distractions in. For example, you may choose to complete an activity in the living room where there are lots of toys and games out. One way to reduce these distractions is to cover up these items for the duration of the music making with a blanket or large piece of fabric so that your child is not distracted by these other items in the room. If you choose to use sensory items in the music making activity, it might be beneficial to keep these items covered as well until it is time to use them.
It may also be worth considering if you can use this space consistently for music making activities. A consistent space will allow your child to recognise when it is “music time” and provide the least amount of distraction from the activity you are completing together.
Adapting the space:
Another factor to consider in the space is the lighting. Each child will have a different level of stimulation and it may be appropriate to dim the lighting to reduce stimulation when completing music activities.
Some simple ways to adapt the lighting include:
Using fairy lights strung around the room. These often come with multiple settings and are often dimmable. These can also come in different colours which could add another sensory dimension to your room.
Using lamps instead of the main light in the room.
Closing blinds/curtains if it is a particularly sunny day.
It may also be worth considering the temperature of the room and whether this will detract away from the activity. For example, if you are using a conservatory in the summer, will the excess heat cause a distraction or upset to your child for the duration of the activity?
Privacy and reducing distractions:
Is it possible to provide an environment in your home that can have an element of privacy when participating in music making activities? It could be something as simple as shutting the door to the room you are in or finding a time where you are the only ones in the house. This will reduce the amount of distraction for your child and you can both focus on having a positive music making session together.
Another thing to consider is making sure windows are closed to prevent outside noises being a distraction and turning your phone on to silent for the duration of the music making session.
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