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Musical Development:
From Infancy through Preschool
By Jane Smolens M.Ed
Director of Mountain Song Music Studio, Inc.
As
an early childhood music educator I am frequently asked "Do you think
my baby is too young for music class?" Perhaps the best way to answer
this is with another question: "Is your baby too young to develop
language?" If you think of music as a language onto its own - a
language of sound, rhythm, tonality, texture, pattern, feeling - we
would want our children to develop "musical literacy" in the same way
we would want them to learn to walk and talk. The ability to develop
musically is as much of our birthright as it is to develop any other
significant life skill. Yet often music (or art in general) is thought
of as something "extra," "frivolous," or performance oriented. We often
label ourselves as musical or non-musical, artistic or non-artistic in
very self-limiting ways. Being musical is a fundamental part of our
human expression - every cultural in the world has its own form of
musical expression. Children capture this natural response through
their cooing/singing, bouncing/dancing, and generally being captivated
by music. A child is never too young to reap the benefits from early
exposure. They are like little sponges soaking up the sounds, rhythms,
textures, melodic patterns of the music.
Research
indicates that babies have been listening and responding to music,
language and other sounds in for as much as half of their lives before
birth. Studies have also shown that newborns recognize their mother's
voice at birth and are often able to recognize songs sung while in
utero. Studies done by neurologists suggest that the best time to shape
the most efficient neural pathways is very early in life. Therefore, we
should be engaging children with music while children are very young,
when the brain is most open to shape new pathways and while learning
takes place kinesthetically through play and exploration. This optimal
window of opportunity is approximately from birth to age three.
Toddlers
and preschoolers thrive in a musical environment. It is during this
time that children are able to manifest and express what they have been
absorbing as infants. I have yet to see a child not be responsive to
music in their own individual way. Not only is it a source of joy and
interaction but a wonderful way of building important skills and
abilities. Music is a way of "knowing:" Howard Gardner in his theory of
Multiple Intelligences lists "musical intelligence" as a way of
knowing, experiencing, and interacting with the world. Music can calm
or energize and is a wonderful source of creativity and expression.
There is the enjoyment of music for music's sake as well as an
appreciation for the ways that music facilitates learning and
development. As children get older, music is linked to spatial and
temporal intelligence, increases gross/fine motor coordination, builds
confidence and self-esteem and generally facilitates many areas of
learning. Music is one of the few things that integrates both
hemispheres of the brain - linking the analytical/mathematical with the
whole pattern/feeling aspects of music. Children need to be actively
participating with the music in order to receive its full benefit.
Sitting and listening to on the radio, or CD is wonderful but does not
give the same holistic benefit as moving, singing, playing instruments,
and fully interacting with the music. Some school teachers prefer to
start their day with music because of its integrating components. It is
wonderful when teachers are given the flexibility to do this. Sadly or
ironically music is often one of the first things to be eliminated from
our school systems.
I
highly recommend "Frames of Mind - a Theory of Multiple Intelligences"
by Howard Gardner. This important book expands the definition of
"intelligence" by discussing seven types of intelligences - music being
one of them. This gives credence to different learning styles and ways
of experiencing and interacting with the world. I also recommend "The
Mozart Effect for Children" by Don Campbell. This book outlines the
developmental stages in utero through adolescence in terms of musical
awareness, growth and involvement. It is a very hands on, parent
oriented book that discusses the importance of music in terms of
healthy development physically, cognitively, and emotionally.Both books
are wonderful resources describing the benefits of music in early
childhood.
Most
importantly music is fun, engaging, and creates a sense of bonding with
family and community with others. The ability to participate in music
may be one of the most integrating capacities we have. Sharing music
together nurtures bonding, creates cherished moments, and provides
opportunities for joy, expression, spontaneity, and fun for the entire
family!
Jane
Smolens, M.Ed has been a Music Educator since 1986 and is a partner of Moxie Moms. She is the Director
of the Music Together Program offered through Mountain Song Music
Studio, Inc. Classes are offered in Boulder, Westminster and Fort
Collins. Music Together is a research based music and movement program
for babies through preschoolers and their caregivers. Classes
incorporate singing, movement, instrument play and introduce families
to a variety of musical styles. Classes are held year round. For more
information or to attend a free demo class contact: Jane Smolens -
(303)413-1120 or (970)495-1120 or go to www.mountainsongmusic.com
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