Musical Story: Peter and the Wolf
To develop musical listening and imaginative response through narrative musical works.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Expressive Arts & Design
- Learning area: Expressive Arts and Design
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Identifies character themes
- Responds with movement to music
- Describes feeling of music
- Sustains listening attention
Materials
- Recording of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf
- Movement space
- Drawing materials for response
- Character pictures
Instructions
Introduce the characters before listening: 'There are different characters in this music. The bird is a flute — high and fluttery. The cat is a clarinet — sneaky. The duck is an oboe — waddling. Peter is a string theme — brave and cheerful.'
Play each character's theme separately. 'This is Peter's music. How does it make you feel? What is Peter like?' Allow children to move however the music makes them move.
Play 'spot the character': play the full opening section. 'Put your hand up when you hear Peter! Now — that's the bird — can you fly?'
Respond in movement: 'Now we're the characters in the music. When you hear the cat, sneak on your tiptoes. When you hear the bird, flutter your arms and fly.' This embodied response develops musical comprehension.
After listening, draw a character from the story. 'Draw Peter. What does he look like from the music? Show me in your drawing.' Art as musical response is powerful.
Return to the music over several weeks. Familiarity with the themes deepens appreciation and develops sustained musical listening attention.