Background and ObjectivesThe Ministry of Education Kindergarten Engaging with Songs (MK EWS) is a music programme developed by the Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (STAR) to support the professional learning (PL) of MK teachers in Singapore. Developed in 2018, MK EWS aims to empower teachers to teach music, integrated with other subjects and skills, with greater confidence and purpose. Aligned with the Ministry of Education’s emphasis on “Learning through Purposeful Play” in early childhood education, the programme integrates play-based pedagogy to foster meaningful musical experiences for MK educators.This workshop showcases how play strategies within the MK EWS programme enhance teachers’ understanding of music learning and promote inclusive practices in diverse classrooms. Drawing from the curriculum designed for MK educators, the workshop models how both free and purposeful play can be embedded in music lessons to support varied learning needs and cultural backgrounds.Content and Methods“Play is both objective and subjective, comprising qualities of observable behaviour as well as qualities of felt experience.” (Mardell et al., 2016.)Participants in this workshop will experience hands-on activities that illustrate how play is woven into music education for pre-schoolers. The workshop comprises three parts:· Part 1: Facilitators will conduct a musical tuning-in activity using purposeful play to encourage creativity and self-expression, allowing participants to explore music individually and collaboratively. Participants to lead the ‘play’, facilitated by the trainers.· Part 2: Facilitators will role-model diverse play strategies using songs to demonstrate how music-making can be inclusive, engaging, and culturally responsive.· Part 3: Participants will experience a musical activity designed to foster interaction and communication, highlighting how play can support appreciation of diversity in the classroom. Application to Pre-school Music EducationThe strategies presented aim to inspire educators to reflect on and evolve their pedagogical practices in response to changing student profiles and educational landscapes. By embracing inclusivity and appreciating diversity through the pedagogy of play, teachers can make music education more accessible and meaningful for all learners. The shared goal remains creating rich musical experiences that positively shape children’s development in school and beyond through play.