Each child's attainment of a pre determined performance level, however, is neither essential nor appropriate. Children's play is their work. Children learn within a playful environment. Play provides a safe pla ce to try on the roles of others, to fantasize, and to explore new ideas. Children's play involves imitation and improvisation.
Children learn best in pleasant physical and social environments.
Dominant use of drill-type activities and exercises and worksheet tasks will not provide the kind of active, manipulative, and creative musical environment essential to the devel opment of young minds. Diverse learning environments are needed to serve the developmental needs of many individual children. Children interact with musical materials in their own way based on their unique experiences and developmental stages. One child may display sophisti cation and confidence in creating songs in response to dolls. Children need effective adult models.