Why is music important?
Children have a natural love for singing, chanting rhymes, moving and dancing, clapping and tapping etc. Even a young baby will instinctively respond to a soothing lullaby or a favourite musical toy. The child’s early fascination and love for music and movement can be channelled into a life-long enthusiasm through an involvement in an enjoyable and active music program!
Why begin with young children?
Children begin to learn at a very young age. The foundations for a successful lifetime are built during these young formative years, and therefore the earlier children can be involved in music activities, the better. By beginning music education at a young age the child has more chance of being meaningfully involved with music in later life as a listener, performer and a creator.
The facts about music education
- Music is for everyone. All children can contribute to the experience regardless of age or ability.
- ALL children have a right to learn music - it is no longer only for the musically gifted or elite. It is now common knowledge that ALL people can benefit from music education and experiences, not just those who show a special gift!
- Music is unique as it can develop a person wholistically. An involvement in a music program helps to educate the whole individual intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, aesthetically and creatively.
- Music is an important part of the curriculum because it can develop all areas of learning. It promotes language, develops musical concepts, listening skills, social and physical development, relaxation and enriches our lives culturally. Music offers joy, beauty, connection and community.
- Music develops creativity and self expression, promoting the child’s confidence and self esteem.
- Music enriches lives by providing an integrated experience. Singing songs, playing games, and dancing, playing and making instruments and opportunities for creative input.
- Music crosses language barriers, it is an alternative form of communication - without words we can dance and play instruments.
- The first seven years of a child’s life are crucial to the development of musical skills.
If we hear, feel, think and do - we will remember and understand.
Musical Aims of the Program
- Enjoyment and fun with music.
- Acquire a repertoire of rhymes, songs, musical games and dances.
- Make instruments and play instruments.
- Improvisation - using creative imagination and free expression.
- Develop a sense of beat (The steady pulse in music shown physically by tapping feet, etc.)
- Develop Rhythm - (The duration of sounds. A specific rhythm is a pattern e.g. a series of words)
- Discriminate between high and low sounds. (Pitch)
- Discriminate between loud and soft. (Dynamics)
- Discriminate between fast and slow. (Tempo)
General Aims of the Program
Musical activities promote:-
- Social interaction between children, their peers and adults.
- Concentration and attention skills.
- Improved co-ordination.
- Confidence and self esteem.
- Body awareness and image.
- Communication skills and verbal development.
- Understanding of a variety of concepts.
- Expression of feelings.
- Listening skills.
Overall Aim
- To provide an opportunity for children to enjoy music and express themselves creatively by being involved in active music making.
- To encourage children to develop in general ways (such as confidence and social skills) and to build a foundation for the child’s future musical education by developing skills in the basic musical concepts.
Music Sessions at your Centre -
General Information
Susie or Phil are available to teach music sessions at your Preschool centre. These sessions take place once a week for 30-40 minutes for a maximum group of 15 children. For children to receive an age appropriate and developmental music program it is ideal to have them grouped according to age.
Here’s an example of possible groupings – babies 3 months to 12 months; toddlers 12 months to 2 years; 3 yr olds; 4 yr olds. A music program can be anything from a minimum of 5-8 weeks to a whole term or year.
Preparation
Susie or Phil arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to the lesson each week.
Ideally, please clear one fairly large space for Susie to work with all the groups to enable movement and dancing to occur free of distractions. They will need one large table, as well as easy access to a CD player. If there is a piano available that is reasonably in tune she would like to make use of it.
Staff Involvement
As this is a program that can be implemented during daily activities over the week and throughout the year at the Centre, it is most important that staff support the program and happily participate
in each weekly lesson. As well as giving children a wealth of musical experiences, the program aims to equip staff with techniques to use to teach the material to their children and therefore it is vital that staff partake actively in all the sessions.
Please talk to your staff about these points. In the future you may consider a Professional Development Workshop with the staff at your centre as a follow up to the program. |
