Singing is a great way to improve children’s language, communication and speech and, alongside listening to music, can play a powerful role in supporting early brain development.
Rhyme, rhythm and repetition in songs provide opportunities for new vocabulary and also introduce different languages, such as the song Frère Jacques.
Music is so influential on the brain that the type you listen to actually has the ability to change the way you think & look at the world.
Do you include music into your day? Is it spontaneous, planned or a combination?
Providing opportunities for a child to make their own music is also an important part of development and helps children be expressive and creative.
As well as looking at different textures, shapes and sounds of instruments, take this one step further and look at everyday objects. Pots, pans, blocks and keys can all make sound as well as their own body – tapping fingers, stomping, clapping.
What actions are associated with sound?
Can they move loudly, can they move quietly?
What noises do they hear inside, outside, or on their way to nursery?
Can the children match sounds to objects, such as animals or vehicles?
There are 4 main areas to music development and whilst music development is not part of the structured EYFS framework it treads through all areas of learning and development.
These areas are:
- Hearing and listening
- Vocalising and singing
- Moving and dancing
- Exploring and playing
