Victor Stec Sep.

15, 2018

Veblen, K.K.; Kurse, N.; Messenger, S.J.; & Letain, M. (2018). Children’s clapping games on the virtual

playground. International Journal of Music Education.

The article “Children’s clapping games on the virtual playground” is based on a study from which

numerous YouTube videos with the subject of “children’s clapping games” were analysed to further

understand their structure and purpose. The research conducted had the authors conclude that the

majority of participants in these videos were young girls with the majority of them being created in

North America. The goals of such videos varied from capturing child play, teaching viewers or

showcasing their dexterity. The authors drew to conclusion that the tradition of posting videos of

children’s clapping games maintained fluidity by grace of the continuous uploading of new content.

Along with this, it was found that videos shared the ambition of perpetuating music learning while

additionally satisfying children’s impulses for sharing.

I found this article to be fairly informative regarding the topic of children’s clapping games on

YouTube and while I appreciated the research and insight behind the purpose of these videos, I would

have liked an in depth account to why the importance of these games. Perhaps, a discussion on the

potential use of such videos in an educational setting could have been touched upon. Nevertheless, I

took it in my part to share my thoughts regarding these unanswered questions. As to the value of using

these videos as educational tools, it is my belief that while personally teaching students clapping songs is

an effective strategy, the importance of diversifying styles of teaching, such as using videos, is likewise a

method to be further investigated. In particular, through my educational experience, I have heard many

times that students learn best if they are taught by their peers. As I have personally experienced this, I

fully agree with the reasoning behind such thought process. With respect to incorporating this

mentality in class, I believe that using videos showing children of similar age to those in your class

teaching, for instance, clapping games, could prove an adequate method of learning for students.
Victor Stec Sep. 15, 2018

Evidently it would be at the educator’s discretion to what video they present their students. I would

suggest educators choose ones that are easily comprehensible and that effectively organise a step by

step process of teaching in a manner to which young children could easily follow.