Music is an important part of childhood education. Montessori classrooms are full of kid-sized instruments, and group singing is a beloved activity for young learners across the globe. Once you understand why music is so good for your kids, you’ll have a host of tools to help you guide their creative and cognitive development.
Music and Language Development
Language is inherently rhythmic in nature. Some kids have a hard time picking up the rhythms and patterns found in their language, which can result in delayed speech development. Luckily, music is also full of rhythms, and they’re a lot simpler than the ones found in speaking.
According to a German study, music therapy is a great way to help a child’s cognitive development. As kids learn to hear and identify the sounds of instruments, they become more aware of the sounds in the world around them. Once you add lyrics to the mix, kids suddenly become able to make connections between words with similar sounds and meanings, creating a cascade effect that’s perfect for early education.
Music and Group Interaction
Group activities are an important part of a good Montessori education. Kids need a chance to see how their actions can assist and amplify the other people around them, and that’s exactly what group music provides. Whether you’re singing as a class or as a family, group music is an important experience that your kid doesn’t want to miss out on.
Little kids shouldn’t be expected to contribute meaningfully to a group music interaction. Although they should be given an instrument and encouraged to participate, the adult in the situation will need to hold up the continuity of the song. Plan to play guitar or piano while keeping the lyrics steady; that way, kids can contribute in a way that works for them.
Music and Artistic Talent
It’s hard to deny that music and art are deeply intertwined. Alongside a host of other developmental benefits, kids who are exposed to music early in their education may have an easier time understanding creative concepts later in their lives. It’s hard to say whether this is because music improves abstract visualization, enhances auditory engagement, or simply sparks an interest in the arts.
Either way, exposing your child to music early in their life is a great way to make sure they have a chance to be creative when they get older. In addition to music designed specifically for children, you should also give them the chance to hear a variety of genres from around the globe. Pay attention to what your kid likes, and help them build a creative palette that they can reference throughout their life.
When you’re trying to share music with your kids, it’s important to remember how young they are. A baby can rattle a shaker and clap their hands, but it’s not going to sound rhythmic to adult ears. Toddlers will sing off-tune, and older kids will make attempts to play instruments beyond their years. All skills require practice, so give your kids time; if you provide encouragement without pressure, they’ll quickly learn how to express the music in their heart.
