Music in Early Childhood Education: How Singing and Rhythm Promote Learning?

Music has been humanity’s companion since the beginning of time, and it would have had a significant influence in the early phases of most of our lives. Music is not only a source of entertainment for children in their early years, but it is also an effective tool that helps in their emotional, social, and cognitive development. For example, when a newborn listens to a lullaby and is soothed by it or a toddler sings in a classroom setting, it is this very music that supports, shapes, and reinforces their abilities in a seemingly magical way.   

More than just a fun activity, music in early childhood education is grounded in science, and can help improve concentration, encourage joyful learning, enhance creativity, and help develop language, mathematical and motor skills. Music is an essential component in the development of the “whole child”. And here's how music can impact a child’s overall development and well-being: 

• Multisensory Development: Music in early childhood education stimulates various senses like hearing, sight, and touch simultaneously. For example, when a child dances to a song, it stimulates all three senses. It also promotes brain development in a more connected manner, supporting children as they learn to comprehend the world around them using various senses. 

• Predictable Routines: Music can subtly set the tone to one's daily routines. Whether it's starting the day with a happy song, creating a smooth transition at school with rhymes, or slowing down before nap time with a lullaby, music and rhythm create structure in a relaxing, familiar manner. 

• Emotional Expression: Even before they can express themselves verbally, toddlers have strong emotions. Music and melody provide them with a secure space to express their feelings and regulate their emotions, particularly during the early years, when their language skills are still developing. 

Importance of Music in Early Childhood Education

The earliest years of life are critical for a child's neurological and emotional development. During this time, the brain is in the process of developing, and music serves as a catalyst for neural connections to grow and strengthen.  When a toddler listens to or engages in musical activities, several parts of the brain are active simultaneously, including those connected to language, movement, memory, and emotions. This helps them acquire abilities that will be useful later in life. 

It should also be noted that music in early childhood education has the capacity to greatly impact children's emotional states, whether lifting or calming them. Furthermore, when toddlers sing or play instruments in groups, they learn to work together, listen to others, and take turns. Consequently, it is not only helpful on an individual level, but also on a social level. 

4 Key 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

It has been observed 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. 

Motor Skills Improvement

Musical activities that involve movement, like dancing or playing various instruments, help children develop their motor skills. For example, playing drums or a guitar requires hand-eye coordination and movement control just like one requires them while playing physical games or dancing. As a result, in addition to learning to move with greater dexterity, they also improve their ability to follow instructions and work as part of a team while learning music in a group setting. 

Language & Communication Skills

Music can help children enhance their vocabulary, learn grammar, sentence structure, and pronounce words more clearly. Furthermore, children's songs or poems frequently have rhythmic and repeating patterns that might help them with learning a language in a joyful and natural way. Needless to say, it can help them improve their listening skills and speech clarity.  Emotional and Social Growth Music may also be an excellent technique for encouraging toddlers to recognize and control their emotions. Furthermore, when children participate in group musical activities, they learn to listen and wait for their turn, which strengthens their sense of belonging to a group and fosters collaboration and respect for others. 

Music in early childhood is more than simply a fun part of the day; it is an effective medium for a child's holistic development. That is why, at Dibber, we think it should play a fundamental role in every child's joyful learning journey and shouldn’t just be a “good-to-have" in the curriculum but be a “must-have” that stimulates their brain and bring them closer to their peers and caregivers. With music, learning becomes a grand celebration, and we help children flourish emotionally, socially, and cognitively.