Music play in foundation phase focuses on the value of play in the foundation phase and elements of play during music activities in the classroom. In African context play is a way in which people interact with one another ,play reflects aspects of values and beliefs of society . It responds to value system and attitude towards life . It is important to acknowledge the dynamics when thinking about the value of play for early childhood and music education.

Characteristics of play involves personal motivation,active involvement,non literal meaning and others(Brewer 2007)

• Play is personality motivated - Motivated play happens when a player chooses the game they want to play but what they are playing is usually working like for instance when children take turns building sand houses ,they think they are playing but they are actually building houses in the process.
• Play is active - Happens when a player actually take part in the game.
• Play is often non literal- The way children pretend to be eating or flying during the game is figurative, the pretend to be doing so. Pretending to be doing something during play is not literal .
• Play has no extrinsic goals - Children play for fun not to reach a certain goal ,if a teacher gives learners a certain goal to reach after playing that is not play ,it is a lesson.
• Players supply meaning to play -  Children build up their own imagination while playing like taking a box and making it a house ,when they pretend a box is a house they give a play it’s meaning .
• Play has no extrinsic rules- Play cannot come with rules ,players have to make their own rules.

What play teaches ?

play teaches behaviour,morals and values which are important to the society, it gives learners the chance to learn from each other . Play supports cognitive goals and development,physical development as well as social and emotional development.

Seven elements of play are :

• Play involves state of mind and deposition 
• Play contains elements of surprise and challenge
• Play  involves a process ,attitude and structure
• Play is voluntary and unifying
• Play involves aethenic quality judgement by participants 
• Play creates informal space for socio historical comment
• Play reinforce societal rules

Play can be done in many ways like for instance clapping with body action, clapping and singing games ,Stone passing games,dancing play and music drama play .Examples of games can be singing games ,circle games ,action games and Rhythm games .