Music has been a constant companion of mankind throughout history and it can also have a great impact in the earliest stages of our life. In the early years, music is not only a form of entertainment, but also a powerful tool that helps to provide the right emotional, social and cognitive development for children. For example, when a baby listens to a lullaby or sings in class, the music shapes their skills and reinforces learning in an almost magical way.

More than just a fun activity, music in early childhood education can help improve concentration, enhance creativity and help develop language, mathematical and motor skills. It also has the power to create social and emotional bonds, facilitating interaction between children and promoting an atmosphere of collaboration and respect.

Music in early childhood education: key points

Music should not be considered as a secondary activity or just another option within the curriculum, but rather as an essential component for the overall development of a child. Do you want to know why?

  1. Multisensory development: music stimulates hearing, sight and touch simultaneously, contributing to the brain developing in a more complete way and allowing children to process information in different ways.
  2. Establishing routines: songs help to set rhythms and routines in the classroom, whether to signal the start of an activity, a transition or even to calm children before a nap.
  3. Emotional expression: music allows children to express their emotions in a non-verbal way, which is especially useful before the age of three when they are still learning to speak.

Importance of music in early years education

The first years of life are crucial for children’s neurological and emotional development. During this period, the brain is in the process of being trained and music acts as a catalyst for neural connections to expand and strengthen.

When a child listens to or participates in musical activities, different areas of the brain are activated at the same time, mainly those related to language, movement, memory and emotions. This contributes to the development of essential skills for later stages of their lives.
 

It should also be highlighted that music has a great capacity to influence the emotional state of children and can lift their spirits or calm them down. Furthermore, when children sing or play instruments in a group, they learn to collaborate, listen to others and take turns. Consequently, it is not only beneficial on an individual level, but also on a social level.

Benefits of music in early childhood education

The benefits of music in early childhood education are numerous and encompass different areas of a child’s development:

Cognitive development

Research demonstrates that those children who are exposed to music from an early age are better able to solve complex problems and show more advanced skills in both reading and mathematics, which helps to improve memory, attention and analytical skills.

Improved motor skills

Musical activities that involve movement, such as dancing or playing instruments, help children develop their motor skills. For example, playing a drum requires hand-eye coordination and movement control, while dancing develops coordination and balance. As a result, in addition to learning to move with greater dexterity, they can also improve their ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team.

Improved language skills

Through songs, children can improve their vocabulary, learn new grammatical structures and improve their pronunciation. Furthermore, children’s songs often have rhythmic and repetitive patterns that can facilitate language acquisition in a fun and natural way.

Emotional and social development

Music can also be a very effective tool for children to learn to identify and manage their emotions. Additionally, when children participate in group musical activities, they learn to listen and wait for their turn, which reinforces their sense of belonging to a group and encourages cooperation and respect for others.

Encouraging creativity

Music is one of the purest forms of creative expression. Through musical improvisation or creating their own songs, children can explore their creativity, allowing them to develop their imagination and try out new ideas in a safe and fun way.

Music activities in early years

Integrating music into the classroom does not have to be complicated or require expensive or complex instruments. There are many musical activities that can be adapted to the needs and resources of the classroom.

Song circle

Children sit in a circle and sing nursery rhymes. Body movements such as clapping, tapping the floor or twirling can be included, making the experience even more enriching.

Creating homemade instruments

Children can make their own drums out of cans or their own maracas out of plastic bottles filled with rice. This activity not only encourages creativity, but also helps to raise children’s awareness of the importance of reusing materials.

Rhythm games

Rhythm games are ideal for working on coordination and attention. For example, you can follow the rhythm of a song by tapping your hands or feet, paying attention to changes in rhythm and adjusting to them. This improves their motor control and ability to concentrate.

Musical stories

These are stories that include songs or sound effects at key points in the story, combining language development with music. Children can participate by singing the songs or playing simple instruments to accompany the story. It is ideal for encouraging imagination.

Final chords: conclusion

In summary, music in early childhood education is not only a pleasant activity, but also a fundamental tool for the overall development of children. It is therefore important that, as parents and educators, we know how to make the most of its potential and ensure that music has a central place in the lives of our children.