van der Sandt, Johann¹; Jiřičková, Jiřina²
¹Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy; ²Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Singing is more than a musical act – it is a practice of participation and belonging. In classrooms, it offers children the chance to connect across differences, to negotiate meaning together, and to experience themselves as valued contributors. This workshop explores how creative singing activities can nurture diversity and strengthen democratic life in schools.

Our starting point is simple: every child has a voice worth hearing. When children are encouraged to experiment with sound, rhythm, and movement, they learn to take initiative, respect others, and collaborate in shared musical moments. Such experiences build bridges between cultures and empower children as capable agents in their communities.

Participants in this workshop will try out inclusive practices such as call-and-response games, rhythm circles, and group improvisation. These methods demonstrate how singing can generate trust, spark creativity, and foster social cohesion. By placing children at the centre, teachers can turn music-making into a living practice of democracy.