The fact that children can make beautiful music is less significant than music can make beautiful children.  

-Cheryl Lavender 

This quote is one of my favourite ways to describe how Early Childhood music has a profound effect and a powerful role in a young child’s development.  

Music introduced through singing, instrument playing, listening and movement, can have an impact on young children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth.

Have you ever noticed that even babies seem to respond to music? Whether it’s calming them through a lullaby or entertaining them as they suddenly stop to listen or even respond to music that has a bit more of a beat?

We have all sung to our newborn babies to get them to sleep or calm down.  It is factual that babies in utero actually respond to a mother’s singing or music they are being exposed to in their environment 

So, with all that said…….it is absolutely appropriate for music to be included in Early Childhood development.  Young children are already drawn to music. 

Here are some facts that show how important music at an early age can positively affect Early Childhood development. 

Cognitive Development

• Language Skills: Music helps children develop phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds), which is essential for reading and speaking.
• Memory and Concentration: Songs, especially with repetitive patterns, improve memory and attention span.
• Mathematical Thinking: Rhythm and patterns in music can reinforce early math concepts like counting, sequencing, and recognizing patterns.

Children’s brains develop neural pathways for music by age 3. 

Emotional Development

• Self-Expression: Music allows children to express emotions they may not yet have words for.
• Emotional Regulation: Singing or listening to calming music can help soothe children and regulate mood swings.

Social Development

• Teamwork and Cooperation: Group musical activities teach children to take turns, share, and collaborate.
• Listening and Empathy: Music helps children develop listening skills and understand dynamics and expression through music.

Physical Development

• Motor Skills: Playing instruments, dancing, and clapping improve fine and gross motor coordination.
• Body Awareness: Movement activities tied to rhythm help children become aware of how their bodies move in space.

Creativity and Imagination

• Invention and Improvisation: Creating songs or making sounds with instruments foster creativity and divergent thinking.
• Storytelling: Music often involves narratives that stimulate imagination and encourage story development.

It is the imagination and creativity that music ignites in young children that has them asking when is music time again? 

So… Does it really make a difference?  Introducing music at a young age is so much more than just musical skills. 

Music from an early age builds a foundation for a lifelong love of music and it nurtures a range of skills that serve as a foundation for academic learning, emotional intelligence, and lifelong creativity.

As your music teacher at Nelephant Montessori I see firsthand the effects the music class each week has on Early Childhood.  As we sing, play instruments, enjoy movement stories and songs, I see the growth that happens as kids become more confident singing, exploring beats, rhythms and enjoying the hands-on elements, that an Early Childhood music program brings.  These are the tangible things…. the rest is foundational. 

But more importantly, the Joy that music creates, in young children is what makes these children so beautiful, all the while they are making beautiful music. 

Carol Wright has been teaching music at Nelephant for many years and is an advocate for introducing music at an early age so that kids can not only develop skills in music that may lead to more formal instruction of an instrument but also develop an appreciation for music that will last a lifetime.  Singing kids are happier kids.  ?

Carol has her own music studio and has programs for kids ages 2 yrs and up.  She is also going to be offering a morning program at Nelephant this fall.  Reach out through email at cmwright87@yahoo.ca for more information.