Respecting and advocating for children as capable and creative learners

The children were confident and dextrous in restringing our nylon and steel string acoustic guitars. It enabled them in strengthening their fine motor and cognitive development as well as their gaining insight on different communication modes. We investigated the various thicknesses of the strings and pondered on which would be a lower sound to a higher sound. The children were curious about the fret board and other aspects of the guitar. Many children have instruments at home and family or friends who play, so there was a basic level of understanding of music as a language and instruments as a method of communication. For others, all our chatter surrounding these concepts nurtured their knowledge, in true Vygotsky style: children soak up more authentic understanding and connection to information when supported by their peers.