Music has always played an integral
role in preschool education. Kids of all ages grow up listening to songs
and rhymes that are used to teach them colors, numbers, animal sounds, the days
of the week, months of the year, and more.
Preschool teachers utilize music in
all aspects of a typical day in their classrooms. They sing songs at
circle time, introduce new lessons using songs, poems, and rhymes, use short
songs for transitioning between activities, and play lullabies to put kids to
sleep at nap time.
The benefits of having a curriculum
that is rich in music are plentiful. According to the National
Association for Music Education, "music expands memory and assists in
developing crucial language skills." Furthermore, "when
children develop musical skill and understanding, they are developing basic
cognitive, social , and motor skills necessary for success throughout the
educational process."
An important point to be made is that
children enjoy making music! They love singing new songs,
and playing instruments. Additionally, music is applicable to all
teachable aspects of education. For example, when they pretend to play a
guitar or drums with their friends, they are building social skills as they
learn the power of collaboration and cooperation.
According to the NAEYC, "infancy
and early childhood are prime times to capitalize on children's innate musical
spontaneity, and to encourage their natural inclinations to sing, move, and
play with sound." Beyond the classroom, there are many ways to
encourage music in children's lives. From singing with them, encouraging
them to listen to different genres of music, to allowing them to explore with
musical instruments, parents can broaden their kids' horizons as well.
-Emily Lian,
Education Director
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