early childhood music education

1. music for early childhood Where would early childhood be without music?!?music for early childhood is most important. We rely on it to welcome children to the rug, signal transitions, help preschoolers wait out a delay, and reinforce basics such as rhyming and counting. It’s safe to say that music brightens classroom dynamics. Who among us hasn’t sung Clean up, clean up… or Five more minutes? Some teachers begin their days with a song such as, “Here We Are Together” or “Hello, Everybody,” to greet each child in the morning circle. We might have favorite rhyming and counting songs, such as “A-Hunting We Will Go” and “Mary Mack, All Dressed in Black.” And we honor (sometimes) children’s wishes to sing their ABC’s over and over again. Music can set a mood and define a tempo, sparking children to get up and move or to rest quietly on their mat. Singing together deepens children’s sense of community and introduces melodies, language, and rhythms from different cultures. Francis W. Parker School Music Department describes it as follows: “Music is a vehicle for students to express themselves in ways no other communication can achieve. We strive to help students discover their own melody, create

2. harmony with others, and experience the heartbeat of our shared humanity.” (2) I like imagining that preschoolers can “experience the heartbeat of our shared humanity.” When singing and moving occupy a solid place in the classroom, children build a repertoire of songs and delight in singing them over and over and over again, adding new lyrics, personalizing them, owning them. Musical experiences grow as they do, echoing children’s feelings, offering solace, and just plain jazzing things up. To Know more about us visit our website at http://panlandtt.com/.