Musical Environment: Play, Design and Enrichment 2026
Musical Environments and Play
We play music in many different places. The design of the environment impacts our music-making. We actively shape social and physical environments through music-making and sound design.
Image 1: "Prinnie Stevens, Mahalia Barnes" by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The creative process is often playful and experimental. We gather together to create new sound worlds in social settings for entertainment, fun and recreation. The musical play may enrich personal development and even lead to new learning and vocational pathways.
Music-Making
Making-music can be social, or solitary. The purposeful design of environments supports musical exploration and play and removing barriers. There are many examples of creatively designed musical environments that enrich lives. The making of musical environments calls for knowledge of how to combine musical elements into play, interacting with voices, tools, movement, and materials.
Designing Playful Environments
I seek to identify innovative musical play environments and to design and shape sound worlds in 2026. My focus is mostly on early childhood and young people. However, the same processes would apply for people of all ages. Music crosses age and cultural borders. Cross-disciplinary approaches are encouraged.
As the new year approaches, it is timely to think about musical trends that occur in certain environments and how they stifle or support our creativity. We can work towards new resolves for musical play and active exploration in the new year through networking together. This takes the focus off competitive experiences and encourages cooperation in music-making.
The Principles of active learning:
Learner-Centered Approach: Active learning shifts the focus from the instructor to the learner, encouraging students to take an active role in their education. This involves engaging with the materials through discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on activities.
Engagement and Interaction: Active learning promotes student engagement by incorporating interactive elements into the learning process. This can include group work, peer instruction, and collaborative projects, which enhance understanding and retention of information.
Reflection: Reflection is a critical component of active learning. Students are encouraged to think about what they have learned, how it applies to their lives, and how it connects to prior knowledge. This process helps to personalise and deepen their understanding of the material.
Application of Knowledge: Active learning emphasises the practical application of knowledge. Students are given opportunities to apply what they have learned in real-world contexts, which reinforces their understanding and helps them develop critical thinking skills.
Collaboration: Learning is often enhanced through collaboration. Working with peers allows students to share ideas, challenge each other's thinking, and build a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Research shows that collaborative learning can lead to better outcomes than individual study.
Benefits of Active Learning
Improved Retention: Engaging actively with content helps students remember information better compared to passive learning methods.
Development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills: Active learning encourages students to analyse, synthesise, and evaluate information, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Increased Motivation: When students are involved in their learning process, they are more likely to be motivated and invested in their education.
In summary, active learning principles focus on creating an engaging, interactive, and reflective learning environment that empowers students to take charge of their music education and apply their knowledge effectively. This approach not only enhances learning outcomes but also prepares students for real-world challenges.
Personal Learning Networks
Let's network about how you would like to be involved with Musical Environment: Play, Design and Enrichment in 2026. What opportunities can you provide for designing and enriching musical environments? How do you support active learning through musical play? What else do you require?
Sandra Kirkwood
B.Occ. Thy, B.Music, Grad Cert Education (Digital Learning & Leadership in Education), M.Phil (Qld Conservatorium, GU)
References
https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/five-key-principles-of-active-learning/
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