Music Arts in Childhood

MUSIC ARTS IN CHILDHOOD
Music Arts in Early Childhood
Student’s name
Institution
Date
MUSIC ARTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.
Music education is an important pillar most especially in early childhood
education. Its contribution towards psycho-social development and emotional
awareness of a child is undeniable. This makes it a very important subject in pre-
schools.
The aim of music education is to promote a sense of belonging, being and
becoming in the sense that a child is aware of the surrounding environment and
its culture and hence a sense of belonging is instilled in a child (Collins, 2013).
The aspect of ‘being’ is developed through music education by helping a child
become emotionally aware. The child is able to express himself/herself through
music arts. This largely contributes to development of a child’s behavior,
character and the ability to establish relationships and maintain them even at an
early age following team work during music lessons and projects (Cox, G, 2011).
The aspect of ‘becoming’ is natured through brain development of a child through
music arts. The cognitive aspect of a child that is (memory, attention and
interpretation) and healthy development as per child’s milestones is achieved
through music in early childhood (Fleming, 2015)
The aim of music education therefore is promoting the holistic development of a
child during early childhood stage (Smith, 2009).
Principles undermining effective teaching of music education to young children

MUSIC ARTS IN CHILDHOOD
1. Lack of appropriate resources
Schools lack enough musical instruments to be used in teaching hence
undermining music education. An outdated instrument also largely
contributes to ineffective teaching.
2. Semi-skilled or unskilled teachers
Educators may not be having good curriculum knowledge and child
development knowledge making it hard to teach music to young children.
Educators also don’t know the effective approach in teaching music.
3. Different learning skills of children.
Every child has his/her own way of understanding things making it very
difficult to teach music to young children.
4. Lack of continuity of learning and transition in music education
curriculum.
5. Unfavorable learning environment for young children.
The development of music skills, understanding and meaning for children in the
early years
Young children begin to express feelings and ideas through the use of musical
instruments or their own voices. The development of musical skills starts with
understanding simple melodies which the child will love to sing repetitively. At
first he can fumble words of a familiar song and enjoy singing it. A child will later
know songs by name and even have favorite songs .Children may also enjoy
singing simple songs in groups at school be it educative or funny songs while
playing games (Roy, 2012).
Children then identify musical instrument which they love most, plays them
occasionally expressing emotions, temperament, pitch and rhythm of songs .With
years musical skills develop with respect to the child’s developmental milestones
enabling precise articulation of details concerning music .On the other hands
educators play a very important role through intentional teaching skills to
promote the articulation of the latter. All these factors contribute to development
of musical skills and understanding to children in early years (Ruthmann, 2017)