Music Education in Early Childhood: Principles and Development

This report delves into the critical role of music education in early childhood settings. It outlines the aims of music education, emphasizing its contribution to children's psycho-social development and emotional awareness, and its role in fostering a sense of belonging and self-expression. The report discusses the principles underpinning effective music teaching, including the need for appropriate resources, skilled educators, and consideration of children's diverse learning styles. It further explores the development of musical skills, understanding, and meaning in young children, highlighting the importance of expressive activities. The report also identifies suitable resources and materials to support music education, such as films, DVDs, apps, and expert involvement. Finally, it examines the profound impact of music on a child's holistic development, including teamwork, confidence, academic performance, socio-cultural appreciation, and cognitive abilities. The report concludes by underscoring the significance of music education in shaping a child's life, communication skills, and social interactions.

MUSIC ARTS IN CHILDHOOD
Music Arts in Early Childhood
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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)

MUSIC ARTS IN CHILDHOOD
Appropriate resources and materials that can be used to support music
education in early childhood
1. Use of Film and DVDs. Through use of such gargets, children are able to
watch and in the process nurture their musical talents and reinforce
understanding.
2. Use of apps. Simple applications can be developed and installed in
children’s and teachers I Pads and tablets, with genres of music and a
collection of all childhood music to make teaching easy.
3. Use of experts or external service providers in music education.
4. Developing critical curriculum pedagogy.
5. Use of charts and diagrams in music class to illustrate aspects of music.
6. Providing proper training to educators.
Music and the impact on the holistic development of the child
1. Music impacts teamwork and collaboration-It promotes sharing, listening
and encourages social growth by asking students to work together, It also
helps people to establish a culture of tolerance and acceptance.
2. Confidence development-Music makes children feel valued; it improves a
child’s sense of self –worth and promotes positive self-confidence.
3. Music influences academic performance of a child-A child who engages in
music is more likely to be better in his or her school performance and
children who engage in music are also likely to be “better citizens”.
4. Music informs development of social cultural aspect of a child’s life
Music helps the child appreciate the surrounding culture and develops a
sense of belonging in the community. A child is also able appreciates
different cultural practices throughout his life.
5. Music shapes the development of cognitive aspects of a child’s life.
Brain development, memory and the intelligence of a child is improved
through music education which impacts the rest of a child life
development.
6. Music impacts the social life of a child.

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Communication skills are improved and the ability to express themselves,
establish relationships and maintain them in future.
References
Collins, I. H. (2013). Dictionary of Music Education. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.
Cox, G., & Stevens, R. (2011). The Origins and Foundations of Music Education: Cross-
Cultural Historical Studies of Music in Compulsory Schooling. London, United
Kingdom: A&C Black.
Fleming, J., Gibson, R., & Anderson, M. (2015). How Arts Education Makes a Difference:
Research examining successful classroom practice and pedagogy. London, England:
Routledge.
Roy, D., Baker, B., & Hamilton, A. (2012). Teaching the Arts: Early Childhood and Primary
Education. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Ruthmann, A., & Mantie, R. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Technology and Music
Education. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Smith, G. (2009). Public Multicultural Music and the Australian State. Music and Politics,
III(2).

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