All over the world, parents bond with their babies through musical sounds and rhythmic movement. They rock and swing their children, put them to sleep with lullabies, make them laugh with nursery rhymes. Parents know instinctively what scientists have now proven: young children thrive on music.
Experts in early childhood development have demonstrated that music does more for children than bring them joy; it helps their brain cells make the connections needed for virtually every kind of intelligence.
When young children are consistently engaged by music in an age-appropriate, socially accepting environment, they benefit at many levels:
They make gains in phonological processing, spoken language and comprehension skills that are the foundation of reading.
They build on the spatial-temporal and reasoning skills required for math, science and engineering.
They develop social and emotional skills that are essential for school readiness—like the ability to regulate their responses and relate to others in complex ways.
By moving and dancing to music and playing simple instruments, children improve their gross and fine motor skills. Activities that encourage freedom within a fun and friendly structure spark their creativity.
And of course, they develop a lifelong love of music.
Music Education for Young Children
Formal music programs typically divide classes by age while addressing various developmental stages and milestones. A broad, general outline for most early music programs includes four basic categories.
Newborns to 18 months
In the earliest music classes, special bonding moments between parent and baby include a variety of musical learning activities to stimulate and engage all of the senses. Parents can learn how to encourage a baby’s own learning through vocal play, object exploration, instruments and creative movement. Music classes for this age typically include:
Variety of music. Musical diversity builds strong neural networks in a baby’s forming mind; each class contains an array of styles, sounds and genres.
Instrument play. Age-appropriate experiences with child-safe instruments enhance a sense of rhythm and steady beat, develops a keen awareness of the distinguishing qualities of sound, and encourages spontaneity and creativity.
Dance. A classroom full of baby and adult pairs dancing together helps a little body develop muscle strength needed to crawl and walk and helps a little heart to fall in love with the sheer joy of responding to music.
Together time. Music class is a place to create special memories, gain new insights into a child’s development and nurture a child’s natural love of music.
18 months to 3 years
For toddlers, every day brings new discoveries and opportunities to explore the world. Despite their growing independence, toddlers still long for the safety and security of parental closeness. During this time, a toddler relishes the comfort of familiar things while seeking new challenges. Music classes for this age typically include:
Instrument exploration and ensemble skill development. Children explore the physical characteristics and sounds of age-appropriate instruments which will eventually lead to discovering potential for beat, rhythm and melodic ensemble playing.
Vocal play. Through vocal play, toddlers learn to form vowels and consonants, say words and phrases and imitate rhythm and vocal inflection.
Exploration Time. Children love discovering specially designed instruments, textures, sounds and movements.
Story time and early literacy. Listening to stories enhances language and speech development and fosters awareness of sounds, teaches use of language and sends the message that words and symbols have meaning. The same experiences that help a child learn to read a book also help a child learn to read music.
Movement Activities. Classes provide various opportunities for movement such as synchronized movement, group dances and circle games and even expressive movement.
Preschoolers age 3 to 4
Every day brings a new discovery as the preschooler slowly opens the doors of individuality and independence. A blanket becomes a superhero’s cape. A cardboard box doubles as a princess castle. Pots and pans become drum sets. Using the power of music, classes tap into the preschooler’s creative spirit and boundless energy and focus on developing a child’s learning strengths and self-confidence in order to be ready for school. Music classes for this age typically include:
Pretend Play. Pretend play activities are integrated with music, vocal development, storytelling, listening, movement and literacy aspects of each class. When based upon a child’s real life experiences, pretend play helps develop language, sensory, motor and cognitive skills.
Musical Variety and Singing. Activities include a mixture of musical genres and styles and provide a setting for the child to explore many voices and to develop their “singing voice.” Singing helps with memory and recall, physical development, creativity and socialization.
Storytelling and Literacy. Classes are built on the development of a story. Preschoolers search for words to say what they mean and try to keep up with their busy minds, emerging wants, needs, likes and dislikes.
Parent Involvement. Preschoolers are learning to be self-sufficient in a group setting of peers, while many times still needing the emotional security provided by a parent.
Students ages 5 to 7
Using a small-group approach to music education, classes provide an atmosphere where children can develop a strong musical foundation by learning the concepts, language, notation and vocabulary of music and its greatest composers. Classes prepare a younger student who is eager for first experiences with musical symbols and instrument discovery, but is not yet ready for formal lessons and traditional music reading with an instrument. Music classes for this age typically include:
Singing and vocal development. Children develop skills in using the language of professional musicians and composers while getting ready to read and write simple rhythm patterns.
Musical reading and writing. Children learn melodic and rhythmic notation eventually composing simple melodies of their own.
Focused listening. Children learn to identify a range of orchestra instruments and their sound qualities, while gaining an early awareness and knowledge of composers and masterworks.
Exploring and playing musical instruments. Authentic percussion, string, pre-keyboard and woodwind instruments expose children to many choices for future musical study and provide children the opportunity to musically succeed before taking on more formal instruction.