The Importance of Quality Early Childhood Music Learning
By Dr. Patsy E. Johnson, Curriculum Expert for the Music Intelligence Project
Music learning is so beneficial to a young child’s development both musically and intellectually, one should considered it a must have learning experience for your child. No other learning activity engages so many senses, interconnects so many parts of the brain, and provides so much enjoyment. It is important to realize that the preschool age is the time of most rapid growth in intelligence. Researchers have found the types of learning at this critical time actually affect the brain’s “wiring”, the connections that control memory, math, muscles, and language. Therefore, it is an important time to engage your child in an active program of quality music learning.
So many parents over the years have asked me what they should do to give their child the best advantages in learning. An important key for parents in providing a complete music learning experience is to insure that an accurate model is available for their child. For example, if you singing out of tune and are the primary model for singing, your child will also sing out of tune. Additionally you need to model with a child’s physical abilities in mind. For example, sing in their singing range, and keep movements simple, such as lap patting or marching.
Music learning activities should involve:
- Learning to use the singing voice
- Performing rhythms accurately
- Learning a number of tonal and rhythm patterns
- Developing a sense of tonality and rhythmic meter
- Acquiring a repertoire of songs and musical masterworks
These learning activities should engage the child mentally in imitation, recall, recognition, and improvisation. Engaging your child in these activities goes well beyond the informal and casual playtime music experiences of most preschool children.
A common challenge for parents is knowing what to do or finding this type of complete, carefully sequenced program of instruction for their children in the market place. Recognizing this challenge, the Music Intelligence Project created an “in home” program called The TuneablesTM.
The Tuneables(TM) DVD and CD series is a comprehensive, interactive approach to learning that develops the key building blocks and skills needed for success in music learning. Importantly, the program is engaging and fun so children really like watching and interacting with the animated characters. We hear all the time how a child wants to see the program and listen to the CD over and over. This repetition is critical to the learning process and helps build this important foundation of music understanding. In addition to the DVD and CD, parent guides are available to help explain the curriculum and give tips on how to augment the learning at home.
It is good to remember that all parents can play an important role in their child’s music learning experience. A nurturing parent, whose smile, facial expressions, hugs, applause, and other signs of encouragement add to the excitement of learning music, can enhance any program of music learning. Participating in music activities with your child is encouraging and enjoyable, and it presents opportunities for feedback as your child negotiates the trial-and-error process of learning to imitate performance models. And, a substantive program of music education for children is good for adults, too. You never outgrow the pleasure of learning music.
Learn more at: www.musicintelligenceproject.com
Purchase your copy at: www.thetuneables.com
