Calming spaces continue to be a top priority for educators this year. As you consider outfitting your classrooms with Zen dens and school furniture for calming centers, don’t overlook the power of music as an added tool in your student engagement toolbox.
Numerous studies have proven that calming music for classrooms can relax students and quiet busy environments. Music has also been credited with reducing stress and soothing anxiety. Its effects are ageless, making it the perfect support tool in any K-12 learning space. Students of all grade levels can enjoy and benefit from calming music. Here are just a few wonderful ways to use calming music in classrooms to support your students.
The current landscape of school music programs
Music in schools isn’t new. And the widespread adoption and introduction of music programs, including band, choir, and curriculum continues to be a priority for modern districts. Here are just a few of the latest stats to demonstrate how prevalent music is in modern learning:
92% of all public school students have some access to music education throughout their day.
49% of public school students are reported to participate in music education during their school day.
70% of elementary schools have certified music professionals as teachers.
The healing and healthy power of music
Many healing qualities of music include stress reduction, improved cognitive function, increased energy, and even pain relief. Music can put the body in a relaxed, positive state and soothe agitated students. Certain tones and octaves can also lend therapeutic healing and soothe young listeners. The student benefits are impactful:
Schools with music programs estimate they have 90.2% graduation rates.
These same schools also point to a 93.9% attendance rate compared to non-music school counterparts with 84.9% attendance rates.
Background music in the classroom can enhance memory retention, reduce stress, and improve concentration, creating a conducive learning environment.
Learning music can support brain structure in a way that improves focus and inhibits impulse behaviors.
Students involved in school music programs have improved literacy and often get higher grades.
Students who participate in music programs experience improved confidence and creativity.
How music can impact K-12 student learning
Students who participate in musical programs are shown to have increased vocabulary and language skills. By incorporating music into curricula, students have better recall by putting lyrics and tunes to assignments. The cadence and beat of the music can also help students sound out difficult words. Learning a new language or phonics can be intimidating. But when put to a musical beat, pronunciation and enunciation are easier.
Aside from music programs, however, there are other ways you can bring the health and healing impacts of music into your classroom experiences.
What are some ways you can incorporate music into your classroom management?
Calm music for classrooms is not limited to pre-recorded music. Students can also be encouraged to create their own unique tunes. Rhythm instruments such as hand drums, tambourines, and rhythm sticks are creative, unique ways to integrate music into the day’s lesson plan.
Music for transition or behavioral cues
Special musical sounds or tones can signal a particular activity or perhaps the conclusion of something. In the mornings, for example, when grade school students assemble, a song could be played, ushering them in to begin their day. When it is time to clean up after art class or free time, the teacher plays a series of notes on an instrument to alert the children that the activity is changing.
Music for classroom celebrations
Younger students require frequent brain breaks and time to stretch. Lively music can help them get that energy out, stretch their legs, and reset. These upbeat breaks in the student’s day will support improved focus during seated instruction. Alternatively, high-energy beats can add a celebratory note to classroom parties or classroom award celebrations.
Music for calming and relaxation
During stressful occasions like testing, play calming music to soothe student anxiety and increase their relaxed state. Classical music, when played in classrooms, visibly reduced student unease and apprehension. Offering students noise-canceling headphones also quiets external noise and allows the students to listen to calming music in classrooms.
Therapeutic benefits of music
Music therapy is a health profession that leverages music as a method to address emotional, social, physical, and emotional needs. Teachers can also leverage the holistic and therapeutic benefits of music in the classroom with various music-based activities. Your classroom activities might include simply listening to music, songwriting exercises, music performances, or music history.
The best K-12 calming music in classrooms management strategies
Whether music is your classroom’s method for calming down after an energetic recess or you want to explore music as a support tool in your designated calming space, these strategies can support your students’ goals.
Integrate music into classroom routines
Routines are the best way to engage students and prepare them for the day ahead. Students become familiar with their daily routine and know what’s next on the schedule. Simplify those essential routines by integrating music to catch their attention and prepare them for a change. Quiet time might be signaled by playing a classical tune, and activity time might call for an upbeat or cadenced tune.
Student choice in music selection
Students often want to belong and be part of the classroom's daily activities. Giving them choices in musical selections cultivates a sense of belonging. This is also a wonderful incentive for students to meet goals or benchmarks, with the reward being their playlist being used for the week’s musical selection.
Themed days with music integration
Give students themes (Tchaikovsky Tuesday, Blues Thursday) and set the pace for the week’s musical selection. Using themes can also tie in with the lesson plans, weaving composers or musicians into the fabric of the lesson. For example, Big Band-era music could tie in with a history discussion.
Use music to enhance learning
Music, more specifically calming music, can be an incredibly effective tool for learning key concepts, facts, or mathematical theories. Studies show that calming music creates a reduced stress environment and minimizes distractions, which are essential for improved brain function. Remembering scientific formulas or language arts rules becomes easier when put to music or a catchy tune.
Music as an emotional regulator
Music can regulate the emotional climate of the classroom. Playing soothing music or calming sounds encourages mindful listening and keeps the students focused. Bringing the energy up requires an affirmative selection of music and fosters excitement and positivity among the students.
Collaborative music activities
Collaborative musical efforts, including joining up with other classrooms, singalongs, or group sing-a-longs, encourage teamwork and get students engaged with each other. Writing songs, creating musical scores, or telling stories with music in the background are excellent sources of incorporating music and the concept of working together.
Fun classroom activities that involve music
Get inspired to introduce music to your K-12 students with these fun and exciting music-related games and activities.
Lyric fill-in-the-blank challenge
Play a popular or educational song and pause at certain moments, asking your students to guess the missing lyrics. This activity sharpens listening skills and encourages students to pay attention to details. For added fun, include songs related to the current lesson theme.
Musical freeze dance
Play music and have your students dance until the music stops. When it does, they must freeze in place. Add a twist by asking them to freeze in a pose that represents a word or concept they’ve learned. This game is a great way to energize students while reinforcing key learning objectives.
Create a classroom anthem
Work with your students to write a song or rap about the class rules, an upcoming test topic, or even their favorite subjects. Performing it together builds camaraderie and creativity. Students will take pride in their work and remember the content long after the activity ends.
Name that instrument game
Play sounds from various instruments and ask your students to guess what they are. This activity introduces them to different instruments and enhances listening skills. You can also incorporate a brief history of each instrument to expand their knowledge further.
Music for mood writing
Play different types of music (happy, sad, dramatic) and ask your students to write a short story or poem inspired by the mood of the music. This allows students to explore creative writing while connecting their emotions to the music. Sharing their stories with the class fosters a sense of community and self-expression.
Musical chairs with math
Play musical chairs, but add an academic twist. When the music stops, students must solve a math problem or answer a question before continuing. This combines movement with learning, which helps to reinforce concepts in a fun and engaging way.
Soundtrack for stories
Ask your students to create a playlist or soundtrack that matches the mood or themes of a book or story they’ve read. They can explain their choices to the class. This activity encourages deeper analysis of the story while building connections to the music.
Science through song
Use educational songs to teach complex science concepts like the water cycle, the periodic table, or photosynthesis. Have your students sing along to reinforce learning. You can also challenge them to write their own lyrics to summarize what they’ve learned.
Cultural music exploration
Introduce music from around the world to explore different cultures. Discuss how instruments, rhythms, and lyrics reflect the traditions of various countries. Adding visuals or storytelling about the cultures enhances the experience and makes it more meaningful for your students.
Beat the clock rhythms
Give your students percussion instruments (no, really) or simple items like pencils and desks to create rhythms. Challenge them to mimic increasingly complex patterns or make their own within a time limit. This activity encourages teamwork and improves motor coordination while keeping energy levels high.
Musical storytelling
Use music as a backdrop for storytelling. Play suspenseful, joyful, or calming music while narrating a story to immerse students in the experience. Students can also take turns narrating stories with music to develop their confidence and creativity.
Vocabulary karaoke
Create a karaoke session where your students sing educational songs or create their own lyrics based on new vocabulary words or historical events. This combines music and academics, making learning memorable and enjoyable. Students can work in teams to add a collaborative element.
Brain break dance party
Play an upbeat song for a quick dance break to energize students. It's a great way to refresh their focus during a long day. Pairing the dance session with a fun theme, like silly hats or props, makes it even more exciting.
Compose with boom whackers
Use colorful boom whackers (tuned percussion tubes) for students to compose and perform their own music. This hands-on activity teaches rhythm and teamwork. Encourage students to layer sounds and rhythms for a more complex composition.
Guess the genre
Play snippets of songs from different genres like jazz, rock, classical, or hip-hop. Ask students to guess the genre and discuss what makes each style unique. You can expand the discussion by exploring how different genres influence one another.
Outfit your classrooms with music in mind
Classrooms can be easily equipped to integrate music by adding instruments like tambourines or triangles and devices to play recorded music such as CD Player or blue-tooth-friendly devices. Whiteboards and appropriate seating and tables can encourage creativity and promote calming music in the classroom.
School Outfitters sings your tune
We can assist you in composing your best musical classrooms this year. Bring calming music to your learning spaces with help from our K-12 furnishings experts. Let School Outfitters be your partner in learning and browse our musical products and music room furniture. We’ll get your free quote and can help you outfit all your calming spaces with the right classroom furniture and accessories.
