Music is a distinct form of communication that manifests naturally when children are engaged in musical play regardless of their cultural backgrounds. In an ethnically diverse, urban community music school, where the majority of children represent non-western populations, the need for creativity-focused approaches that do not assume a western classical orientation is especially critical. The purpose of this study is to explore an innovative approach in early childhood music education that highlights creative musical play. Data analyses revealed that social and shared regulation behaviors manifested most consistently in the free exploration forms of creative musical play. Guided musical play and free exploration elicited more positive emotions than the musical play elicited during rituals. The findings of this study reveal the potential for creative musical play to enhance musical communication by nurturing children's capacities to communicate and relate to each other. [This paper was presented at the 9th International Symposium on the Sociology of Music Education (2015).]