Do you still remember the childhood rhyme ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall’? Or have you ever seen parents comforting their babies by playing music and how they instantly stop crying? That is the power of music! It leaves a lasting memory and regulates the mood as well.
Music not only impacts young kids but is a universal language that resonates with people of all ages including infants, kids, and adults. But the benefits of music in early childhood are profound, as kids are exposed to music from birth through lullabies, poems, and dance tunes.
Studies have shown that music activities for preschoolers have many tangible benefits. It is nothing less than a magical tool, and it can be used in various ways to teach preschoolers vital skills. If used strategically and effectively, it can be one of the most enjoyable forms of learning.
Let’s talk about the benefits of music in early childhood in detail and how it can be used in the classroom to teach and engage preschoolers.
Benefits of Music in Early Childhood
Cognitive development
Music is memorable. Educators use this impact of music for cognitive development in children to enhance their memory, develop their problem-solving skills, and improve their concentration power. The impact of music in Child Development Programs makes it a great tool to teach children different concepts, stories, morals, values, and lessons. Its rhythmic patterns help the kid easily retain and recall the information. Rhymes like ‘One, two, buckle my shoe’ are used by teachers in the classrooms to help preschoolers learn counting. And kids grasp these concepts while having fun singing at the same time.
Emotional development
Music has the power to evoke different emotions and can be used accordingly with kids. Many stories are narrated to kids in the form of a poem with different sound effects. This not only exaggerates the storytelling but also makes it enjoyable for the kids. Educators often play upbeat and lively music in the classrooms to keep the kids energized and encouraged to learn. Similarly, parents play a soothing lullaby to help the little ones relax and unwind during their bedtime.
Imagination and creativity
Music takes the kids to their imaginary world giving them a space to explore the wildest ideas and get creative. One of the key benefits of music in early childhood is how it encourages kids to think out of the box and express their unique ideas confidently. Through music or rhymes, kids often create visuals, stories, or movies in their heads. This can help students explore their hidden talents of drawing, painting, and dancing.
Language and literacy skills
Rhymes and lullabies are the primary way a kid starts to learn a language or starts speaking. The connection between music and learning in early education can be seen in the poems from which they learn about different words, things, and animals. Poems are the first type of literature that kids interact with so it becomes the foundation of their literacy skills. Rhymes like ‘Ba Ba Black Sheep, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Five Little Monkeys, introduce kids to different types of animals and celestial bodies in a creative and fun way.
Motor Skills
The best part about music education in nursery schools is that kids don’t have to go to the technicalities of music. By just understanding the beat, clapping to it, dancing to the beat, or playing the instrument, kids can develop their motor skills. Dancing and playing instruments improves coordination, balance, and hand-eye coordination. Classroom activities like playing maracas, xylophone, or capping to poems help them grow both physically and cognitively.
Positive classroom behaviour
Good music in the classroom creates a positive environment, bringing all kids to a good bright, and cheerful mood. One of the main classroom music benefits for kids is that it keeps them playful and energetic all day long, ready to try different activities and learn things with a positive attitude. Group activities like singing poems together, and playing different instruments teach teamwork to little kids and also create a positive social environment around them.
How to Use Music Experiences in the Classroom for Kids
Incorporating early childhood music programs into the preschool teaching curriculum is not so complicated and can be done in very simple steps given below. The benefits of music in early childhood are immense, helping children develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Beansprouts, one of the best nursery schools in Gurgaon is already using this engaging teaching style to help kids play, learn, and enjoy.
Cheerful morning songs to start the day on a positive note.
Teach stories in a musical form to make them more interesting.
Put lively music to get kids to shake a leg and keep them energised throughout the day.
Let them play with musical instruments like tambourines, xylophones, or shakers and explore different sounds.
Put on calming melodies to make them relax and focus on their activity.
You can find no better and enjoyable way to make the little kids learn and memorize. The benefits of music in early childhood for preschoolers go far and beyond these pointers. Choose a nursery school curriculum with music so that your kid can enjoy it while learning. Beansprouts believes in the power of music activities for preschoolers and utilizes it to nurture the hearts and minds of the little ones. Don’t let your kid miss out on this magical way of learning.