Programs that make use of the teacher's voice and creative movement are most effective in achieving results in the above areas. The sound of a parent's voice is the first sound that a newborn actively listens for. Children, therefore, have had much practice in listening to the human voice and have already developed a capacity to discriminate between the various sounds a voice can make. A child can hear discreet pitches more easily if they are sung rather than played. Movement is also very important in early childhood music programs because young children learn primarily through using their bodies.
Children begin to perceive tempo, for example, by dancing to fast and slow music.
They begin to experience a steady beat by being bounced on their parent's lap to a rhyme. Creative movement activities help children develop gross and fine motor skills, and link self-expression to physical actions. A good early childhood music education will provide a solid foundation for developing musicianship in the future while creating enjoyment for the child in the present. Sarita Valentine holds a BA and MA in Music. She is a licensed KindermusikTM educator, voice teacher, and piano teacher.