A-Z List
Uses of Music in Early Childhood Development
Internet Articles
How music is important in early childhood development, along with ways in which music is and can be used in a classroom for important learning and social development in children.
Brad Kennedy & Jennifer Durst
December 1999
Internet Address: http://littlebigband.com
This web site describes a program designed to help children acquire an appreciation and understanding of music. This program, called Little Big Band, helps promote socialization skills and build confidence and self esteem.
Internet Address: http://www.musichapsody.com
There is evidence that from the fetus in the womb to the toddler, music elicits responses. This source talks about the benefits of using music from before birth on through childhood. Some of the benefits noted included more rapid learning, advancement in mental and movement skills such as hand/eye coordination, and verbal skills. .
Internet Address: http://www.cowboy.net/~mharper/CMN.html
This is a web site for "The Children’s Music Network" which is a network that stands for cooperation, cultural diversity, self esteem, and empowerment through music. It describes how these issues evolve in a child’s life through music and how music enhances children’s thinking skills and the feeling of empowerment. They use songs and activities to involve the children. Some of the songs are written for children, and some are actually written by children.
Internet Address: http://www.liveandlearn.com
This source talks about why you should encourage your toddler to make music. Encouraging music expression in children is important to help develop the child’s body and mind. Some benefits listed include: manual dexterity, self confidence, patience, eye/hand coordination, self control. improvisation, concentration, action and reaction, and memory retention. It also talks about ways to encourage a child.
Internet Address: http://www.jumpstart.com/
This web site discusses why musical play works and describes how the brain is effected by music. It includes a review of studies done with different groups of children which shows how music has a big effect on ways children learn and on their developmental skills.
Internet Address: http://parenting-baby.com/Parenting-Baby-Music-Research/Index1.html
This site is an updated and more complete guide to Suzuki Shinichi's methods of music education. There are offers to buy her lesson plans.
Internet Address: http://www.myc.com
This site describes a school that has been in existence for nineteen years. They use music to further educate students from ages 3-11.
Internet Address: http://www.musica.uci.edu/mrn/V2I2F95.html#outcomes
This site has on it some information from Dr. Wolff that states a case for bringing music education to schools. He argues his case by stating findings about music education and the further development of the brain that may be helpful in justifying the inclusion of music education in school curriculum. He says that music is effective with academic subjects, social and emotional adjustments or physical development, and general cognitive and intellectual growth.
Internet Address: http://www.musica.uci.edu/mrn/V2I2F95.html#outcomes
This site presents information from Dr. Wolff that may be helpful in justifying the inclusion of music education in school curriculum. He argues his case by stating findings about music education and the further development of the brain. He says that music is effective with academic subjects, social and emotional adjustments or physical development, and general cognitive and intellectual growth.
Internet Address: http://www.musica.uci.edu/mn/v6l1w99.html#womb
On this site there is research about the ability to hear and perceive music in the womb. It is said that young children and even infants are known to have surprisingly complex abilities to perceive and respond to basic components of music. They are able to differentiate pitches and tempo changes. The study describes different stages of development and the hearing and remembering capabilities of infants at these stages.
Internet Address: http://home.att.net/~bkbrunk/school.html
This site presents a step by step guide for how a school or school board can set up music education in a school system. It recommends contact persons and offers suggestions for how to show them that music is beneficial to a child's curriculum
Internet Address: http://www.musicalprogressions.com/village.htm
This address gives an overview of some classes that are offered in music education for the development of children. The benefits of music begin for children from the earliest days of infancy. Their program focuses on the infant-parent relationship. All different ages of children participate at their own level in exploring music and movement.
Internet Address: http://www.teachintunes.com/
This site explains why music should be used as an educational tool. The description explains that music is important to early childhood development. They offer workshop programs that will make it possible for anyone to include music in a child's curriculum.
