37. The Last Five Minutes | Opening Windows for Musical Curiosity

In this week's reflection, Clare explores the final five minutes — and why giving children a glimpse of something unexpected can be just as important as achieving the lesson's planned objectives. In a recent Q&A session, Clare was asked which particular point within a group music session she enjoyed the most. Her answer surprised everyone: “The last five minutes.” Not because she was desperate for the session to end — quite the opposite. As she became more experienced in teaching, Clare became increasingly conscious of how she paced her music sessions, often creating a musical arc: beginning quietly, building in energy and vibrancy, and then returning to something calmer. And those final five minutes became rather precious. They weren't necessarily used to reinforce the learning that had already taken place. Instead, Clare wanted to use them to pique children's musical curiosity. To offer an age-appropriate question. To introduce something they might never have encountered before. To plant a little “musical thought seed” that might continue to grow after the session had finished. These moments weren't about replacing musical concepts or the development of musical skills. They were about giving children a small window onto a different musical landscape — and helping them discover that the musical world is considerably bigger than the part they have already encountered. As teachers, it's easy to become focused on what needs to be taught, particularly when we are working within carefully defined aims and objectives. But good musical teaching can also create space for children to wonder, question and discover. To encounter something unexpected. To realise that there are many different ways of making, experiencing and responding to music. And perhaps, through those experiences, to discover that difference can be interesting and exciting. Those final five minutes weren't unplanned. In fact, they were deliberately planned because Clare understood the value of giving children a glimpse of somewhere else. A little musical window. A chance to look beyond the immediate lesson and broaden their musical horizons. And perhaps this matters more than ever for the children growing up in the world around us. Good musical teaching isn't necessarily about squeezing one more thing into a lesson. It can also be about offering children opportunities to encounter things they don't already know — and then watching to see where their curiosity takes them. Perhaps we all need to become a little more committed to opening those windows. A little more often. As teachers, it's easy to become focused on what needs to be taught, particularly when we are working within carefully defined aims and objectives. But good musical teaching can also create space for children to wonder, question and discover. To encounter something unexpected. What might your “last five minutes” look like? 🎵 Discover more practical resources, training and weekly reflections at: https://diversitybuds.org 📧 Subscribe to receive my weekly reflections directly: https://diversitybuds.org Could you use them to plant a musical thought seed, introduce something unexpected, or simply open a little window onto a different musical landscape? I'd love to hear what you think: clare@diversitybuds.org If you enjoyed this reflection, like, subscribe and follow along for next week's video. #MusicEducation #MusicalCuriosity #Diversitybuds