Does it make sense to teach dynamics, the concept of loud and soft sounds in music, to preschool-aged children?

Absolutely!

It turns out that dynamics is very easy to teach because the children love to do it! Teaching dynamics allows them to experiment with their voices and instruments, discovering how sounds can be manipulated and expressed in different ways. Moreover, it encourages creativity and self-expression, as they learn to convey feelings or stories through the volume and intensity of their musical creations.

I have a wonderful song that teaches dynamics to young children. It can be found in my Loud and Soft Music Lesson Plan, which is a part of my Musical Ideas and Concepts lesson plan bundle. This song can be used in any context and repeated throughout the year.

While the sheet music is listed below, you can also chant the words instead of singing them:

Here are the words:

Grizzly bear, a grizzly bear is sleeping in a cave. (repeat)

Please be very quiet, very very quiet,

If you wake him, if you shake him, he gets very mad!

Roar!

Chant the first part very quietly. At “if you wake him”, start to get louder until you finish with a big roar. Invite the students to join you for a second time.

I have also had students bring in a favorite teddy bear to use for this song!

You can find free printable sheet music for Grizzly Bear below.

Download Free “Grizzly Bear” Sheet Music Here