Reproduction of this material is freely granted, provided credit is given to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Children are natural musicians, and exposure to music during the early years enhances the learning process by promoting language development, creativity, coordination, and social interaction.
Caregivers can play an important role in incorporating music and movement into a child's life.
It isn't necessary to play an instrument well or sing in tune to help young children appreciate musical sounds, and they should not be encumbered with the need to meet performance goals. Music can contribute to a soothing environment for infants and toddlers and they soon begin to sort out musical sounds from other sounds. Respectful planning is sensitive to children's interests and balances active and quiet music and movement times. Older preschool children can understand movement as a form of nonverbal communication as they begin to tell stories and express their feelings through body movements. They learn to imitate patterns of sound and rhythm and become aware of music in nature, for example whistling wind, chirping birds and crickets.