The Importance Of Music In Early Childhood Development

It is no secret that most children love music. More often than not, you would find young children happily singing along to rhymes or dancing to catchy tunes. The pleasure and enjoyment children get from music is evident.

Enjoyment aside, did you know that music plays a significant role in early childhood development? Indeed, there are numerous benefits of musical experiences in childhood. In this article, we discuss some of the many reasons why music is just as important as academics in your child’s development.

Music and the brain

You would have likely heard of the “Mozart Effect” at some point in your life, especially if you are a parent of a young child. Over the years, there have been multiple studies conducted that have found music to have the power to enhance learning or improve an individual’s intelligence.

In a highly competitive society like Singapore, it is common for parents to focus on their children’s academic progress over hobbies such as music or art. However, musical experiences actually have the ability to accelerate a child’s brain development, particularly in their memory and language acquisition skills.

The repetitive patterns and rhythms within a song or tune help children retain information much more effectively. According to studies, learning to unscramble musical notes and tones from a young age allows children to develop an organisation system in their brains in order to memorise the music. Moreover, exceptional musical ability comes with an increased aptitude for language acquisition due to the ability to process and reproduce certain words or sounds.

Builds social and emotional skills

Besides improvements to a child’s cognitive functioning and academic performance, the simple act of making music can nurture essential social and emotional skills. Multiple research has found that pre-schoolers who engage in musical activities display higher levels of cooperation, empathy, leadership skills and overall socio-emotional intelligence.

When practising music in a group setting, the synchronised movements and sounds of a typical musical performance create a sense of collaboration and connectedness. However, that is not to say that children who participate in private music classes do not develop the skills to be active team players as well. Generally, children who regularly practise music, no matter if this is in the form of singing, dancing, or playing an instrument, tend to be able to communicate themselves better with their peers. This would allow them to learn to engage in positive social interactions and build meaningful connections with their peers from a young age.

The “ideal” age to start

Of course, there is no right or wrong when it comes to the age that one should begin music education – after all, as the saying goes, it is never too early or late to start. The typically recommended age range for starting to learn a musical instrument is usually between the ages of 4 and 7, as this would be the age range where children are able to understand the basics of music.

Conclusion

In summary, music certainly plays an essential role in a child’s interpersonal and cognitive development. Thus, it would be worthwhile to enrol your child in a music class, especially when they are around the ages of 4 to 7.

Drumming is an activity that not only allows children to reap the benefits of music education but it is also incredibly fun and engaging. If you are looking for a reputable drum school in Singapore, Drum Tutor has got your back. Our drum classes for kids are tailored specifically to pre-schoolers. Children would be able to learn basic rhythms, grooves and techniques through our Ankle Biter course, which is designed for children aged 4 to 6 years old. Our drum tutors would be able to guide your child in mastering proper drumming techniques, all whilst having fun! What’s more, we offer a complimentary trial lesson of 15-minutes and promise only drum lessons of the highest quality.

What’s stopping you from joining your kids? We have beginner drum lessons for adults as well, so you can join in on the fun and bond with your kids over a common interest.

If this is something that you are interested in, contact us today.