Benefits of Early Childhood Music Education

Music is more than just fun and games for little ones - it plays a big role in how they grow and learn. From helping with language skills to building strong brain connections, music in the early years sets the stage for all kinds of development.

At our academy, we offer two wonderful programs designed to bring the joy of music to children at different early childhood stages.

• Musical Bees (ages 0–4) is a sweet and fun music and movement experience where little ones and their parents or guardians sing, move, and explore music together. These hands-on singalong classes help families foster a love of music that will last a lifetime.

• Creative Music & Me (ages 4-6) combines music and art in a creative group setting. This program gives young musicians a head start by exploring the many exciting sides of music through both sound and visual arts.

In this post, we’ll dive into the key benefits of early childhood music education and explain why starting young makes such a big difference.

Language and Speech Development

Repetition is a fundamental learning tool for young children, and music provides an ideal medium for reinforcing this concept. By singing songs and repeating lyrics, children become familiar with various sounds and words. This exposure to language helps them build a foundation for communication and literacy skills. Furthermore, hearing songs from their caregivers is particularly beneficial, as children learn through imitation and look to their parents for guidance. So, parents, sing those nursery rhymes and lullabies—it's helping your child's language and speech development!

Recent research has shown that singing engages two critical areas of the brain: Broca's area, which is responsible for speech production, and Wernicke's area, associated with speech processing. By involving these brain regions, music can strengthen language-related neural pathways, facilitating speech development and comprehension.

Neural Activity Growth

Did you know that during infancy and toddlerhood, children have more neurons than any other stage of their lives? However, unused neurons are weakened and eventually lost. Early music education can play a vital role in stimulating and strengthening neural networks. By introducing children to music at a young age, we provide their developing brains with the necessary stimulation to form robust neural connections.

Research conducted by experts in child development has emphasized the importance of early experiences in shaping brain architecture. By actively engaging in music education, young children can develop neural pathways associated with music processing, enhancing their musical abilities and potentially benefiting other cognitive skills as well.

Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Music and movement go hand in hand, and this synergy can greatly contribute to the development of fine and gross motor skills in young children. Exploring musical instruments, such as egg shakers and music sticks, allows children to practice their fine motor skills and develop their ability to grasp and manipulate objects. Additionally, engaging in hand and body movements during songs and dances helps enhance gross motor skills, as children coordinate their movements with the rhythm and beat of the music. So, let your little ones dance, clap, and play along—they're honing their motor skills while having fun!

Cognition and Academic Development

Beyond the immediate benefits for language and motor skills, early childhood music education has also been linked to cognitive development and academic success. Songs that incorporate counting and early math skills can introduce children to numerical concepts in an engaging and memorable way. Research has shown that informal music-making experiences, such as exploring instruments and singing with caregivers, can have a greater impact on social behavior, attention, and numeracy than reading alone.

Moreover, studies have found a correlation between a child's understanding and production of rhythm and their reading abilities. The rhythmic patterns in music can help children develop auditory processing skills, which are essential for language acquisition and reading comprehension.

The Role of Parents & Caregivers

Parents & caregivers are key facilitators in their children's early music education journey. By actively participating and engaging with their little ones during musical activities, they can create a nurturing and stimulating environment. Here are a few suggestions for parents & caregivers to maximize the benefits of early childhood music education:

1. Sing and play music together: Singing and playing music with your child not only strengthens your bond but also helps them develop language and listening skills.

2. Explore various musical instruments: Provide your child with opportunities to experiment with different instruments, even simple ones like drums or xylophones. This allows them to discover the sounds they can create and develop their fine motor skills.

3. Encourage movement and dance: Encourage your child to move and dance to the rhythm of music. This promotes gross motor skills and coordination.

4. Create a musical environment: Play music regularly at home, and expose your child to a variety of genres. This exposure helps them develop a broader musical appreciation and fosters their overall development.

Early childhood music education is an incredible way to support your child’s growth in language, brain development, motor skills, and thinking. Whether your little one is buzzing along with Musical Bees or creating and discovering in Creative Music & Me, these programs provide a joyful foundation that helps children thrive.

If you want to give your child the best start with music, we’d love to welcome you to one of our classes. Let’s make music a part of your family’s story!

Citations:

Bolduc, J., Gosselin, N., Chevrette, T., & Peretz, I. (2020). The impact of music training on inhibition control, phonological processing, and motor skills in kindergarteners: A randomized control trial. Early Child Development and Care, 191(12), 1886–1895. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2020.1781841

Derri, V., Tsapakidou, A., Zachopoulou, E., & Kioumourtzoglou, E. (2001). Effect of a music and movement programme on development of locomotor skills by children 4 to 6 years of age. European Journal of Physical Education, 6(1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/1740898010060103

Flaugnacco, E., Lopez, L., Terribili, C., Zoia, S., Buda, S., Tilli, S., Monasta, L., Montico, M., Sila, A., Ronfani, L., & Schön, D. (2014). Rhythm perception and production predict reading abilities in developmental dyslexia. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 392. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4045153/

Fox, S. E., Levitt, P., & Nelson, C. A. (2010). How the timing and quality of early experiences influence the development of brain architecture. Child Development, 81(1), 28–40.

National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2010). Early experiences can alter gene expression and affect long-term development (Working Paper No. 10). Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/wp10/

Trollinger, V. L. (2010). The brain in singing and language. General Music Today, 23(2), 20–23.

Viney, L. (2015, October 26). Jamming with your toddler: How music trumps reading for childhood development. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/jamming-with-your-toddler-how-music-trumps-reading-for-childhood-development-49660