Topic 7 Page 2

Sentry Page Protection

Unit 2 Student Login

Unit 2 Student Login

Welcome, (First Name)!

Enter Member Area

My Profile Log Out

(Unit 2) Topic 7: Music and Movement

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Music Experiences

Topic 7 Page 2

Music is an enjoyable experience for young children that benefits multiple developmental domains, and should be experienced every day in your program. Music experiences should provide for children’s active participation in singing, dancing, and/or playing instruments. Singing to young children throughout the day is a fun and interesting way to use language with the children and can be used quite effectively to soothe an upset child.

When selecting recorded music the teacher should consider including a variety of music types (e.g. classical, folk, children’s rock and rap, world music, etc.). Before using in the classroom, teachers should listen to all music to make sure it is appropriate for use with children, containing no violent or sexually explicit lyrics.

A tape recorder or digital recording device will allow you to tape the children’s singing, playing, or your rendition of one of their favorite books, which will increase interest of the children as they are able to listen to familiar voices and sounds.

The Music Area Development and Learning

Emotional:
Different kinds of music evokes different feelings and emotions. The skilled teacher will recognize this and support children’s growth by helping the child label these emotions. Hearing a familiar song from home might help to provide comfort and ease the transition from home to school.

Social:
Young children develop social skills playing music requiring simple cooperation such as “Ring Around the Rosy.” As the teacher engages in musical exchanges with the children she models the give and take of appropriate social exchanges thus supporting children’s ability to communicate with others.

Motor:
Gross motor skills are enhanced as children move to the music, bounce up and down and then dance.
Fine motor skills are developed when the child holds and manipulates musical instruments to produce sound.

Language:
Song lyrics can provide new vocabulary for young children. Connecting hand motions or other visual aids while singing might help young children understand how the words being used represent things in the physical world.

Cognitive:
Children learn about cause and effect as they use instruments to produce sound and develop their memory as they begin remembering familiar songs and the movements that go with them.