Four children are huddled in a tent-like den made from a sheet of material pegged to nearby walls. The Hapi Drum is in the middle of them. Each child has a beater. They play the drum vigorously together and then sit back.

“I love marshmallows” says one girl. It appears that the beaters are marshmallows and the drum is the fire which the children “stoke” occasionally with further playing.

“We need a tent pole”. Alison threads a broom through the back of a

chair so the broomstick becomes a tent pole raising the ceiling of the tent a little higher. “Thank you”.

“I love marshmallows” sings one girl on “so - me” and “do”. All four children take turns in singing this short sequence. They stoke the fire again.

This is an example of highly creative, recapitulative play

This self-created fun grew out of cooperation

Singing helped to set the scene and created a music centred moment of “flow”.

Always have a den available, or materials for constructing one.

Have circle time / song time around a pretend campfire.

Use song to bring children together for snacktime or tidy up time.

• Sings to self and makes up simple songs
• Captures experiences and responses with a range of media
• Engages in imaginative role-play