Soft music, humming, and singing is known to calm little children down and help them relax. Mothers have been singing lullabies and humming softly to soothe their babies and put them to sleep for times immemorial. As the babies grow into toddlers, singing rhymes and songs, listening to music, and singing along often become their favourite activities. The importance of music in early childhood development is the main focus for Reggio Emilia curriculum.
Music is an important part of our culture and is present all around us. Whether it is shopping, entertainment, parks, or playschool, it can be heard all around and at all times of the day. But what is the impact of music on preschool children? We will discuss this in this article and discover the importance of music in early childhood.
Impact Of Music on Young Children
Some professionals believe that the presence of music and musical intelligence in a child is almost as important as logical thinking and emotional intelligence. It has been argued that music helps to deepen the connection between mind and body so they work together more efficiently.
Children will often sway and dance when they hear music, this helps to improve their motor skills. In the same way, singing along to the music helps them to strengthen their vocal cords and build up their singing voice.
Exposure to music helps in the development of a child. It supports the process in a myriad of ways. Let’s discuss how it does so in more detail.
Music’s Contribution to Early Childhood Development
The way children process music is very different from adults. As a child hears music, he or she automatically learns to differentiate between tones, frequencies, and stimuli. Early childhood years are critical for a child to understand and learn music. Similar to language skills, children learn music through imitation and by memorising the music. They memorise the tunes and rhythm and learn about the tones by singing along. If music were not present in a child’s environment, he/she will not be able to acquire musical skills properly.
Besides developing musical ability, there are other benefits of music for young children. Let us look at these benefits now.
It develops a child’s sensory development: Exposing a child to music helps in developing the neural pathways in the brain. The effect is enhanced when music is accompanied by dancing or enacting the word.
It enhances brain power: The advantages of music and its benefits to children’s health and well-being are well documented. It assists in improving children’s cognitive abilities and memory functions. Studies have shown that children who were exposed to music in the EYFS stage performed better in academics than those who weren’t.
"Creating a song is, in a sense, helping kids to create an identity and telling everyone that you are unique.”
Music helps in learning letters and numbers: Singing nursery rhymes, songs, and reciting poems help children to learn numbers and letters. They learn to identify patterns and learn sequencing. This helps to build up the base for future learning and mathematical ability. Music stimulates that part of the brain that processes reading and numerical abilities. It also helps in the development of a child’s emotional capabilities.
It assists in developing social skills: Some children may be shy or may have trouble adapting socially. Music assists such children to integrate better. Learning to play an instrument, singing in a group, or dancing with other children can often help the child to overcome the fear or hesitation they may have in interacting socially.
Music helps to uplift the mood: It is no secret that music can alter and enhance anyone’s mood and it is no different for children. In fact, music helps young children a lot. If they are angry or irritable, singing to them or playing music they love can help to calm them down. Softly singing to a baby helps it to fall asleep.
It improves coordination in toddlers: Whether a child can understand the words or sing them out, they do understand the rhythm and move their body to the music. Music motivates children to move, helping them to build their muscle strength and coordination. Moving, jumping, and swaying to music improves balance and strength.
It improves a child’s vocabulary: Initially, a child may not be able to identify or pronounce every word or syllable that they hear, but over time, songs help to improve a child’s vocal skills and add new words and phrases to its vocabulary.
Music has a huge influence on a child’s development. In the next section, we will discuss what you can do to improve your child’s exposure to music.
Add music to your child’s Life
There are many simple and fun ways through which you can add music to your child’s life.
Lullaby and Songs at Bedtime: This is an age-old practice that has withstood the test of time and for a good reason too. Sing soothing soft songs to the child at bedtime. It helps the child to calm down, relax and have a deep restful sleep.
Playing Music and Singing Along: Play children’s songs, rhymes, or music that your child prefers and sing along encouraging the child to join in too.
Use songs to teach: Teaching simple tasks and remembering things can be easier when it is presented as a song. So use songs already available for routine things like brushing your teeth, bathing, eating food, etc all everyday simple activities can be made more fun by singing a song about them.
Create a Music Playgroup: Get a few more children around together and create a playgroup where the children sing and dance together.
Play music: find as many opportunities as possible to play music. When at home leave the radio on or put on some music you know your child likes. When driving long or short distances, turn on the music in the car. The more music the child hears, the more likely they are to learn and enjoy it.
Take them to concerts: What is more exciting than an outing! Add music to the outing and it is even more fun. Take your child to a music performance; it could be a local choir group or an orchestra performance.
To Conclude the importance of music in early childhood
The importance of music in early childhood development does not require expensive instruments or the need to go out of your way to introduce music to your child’s life. Something as basic as the pre-school you pick for your child can make a difference. At Green Grass Nursery, we ensure that our students are exposed to music and dancing in many different forms, thus ensuring a more wholesome development for your child.
GGN is currently offering weekly music and movement sessions for all ages provided by a professional music institute.
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