Music must not be squeezed out of early years education. Ray Cortis and Emily Franz explain its importance Music has always been part of traditional nursery activities. Not only is it something that young children thoroughly enjoy, but several recent studies have shown just how important it is for their development. Researchers Rauscher, Shaw et al in Neurological Research found that certain music activities have a profoundly positive effect on learning and on the brain itself - especially with children at a young age. The BBC 1 programme 'Child of Our Time' (shown in July 2001) emphasised that music-making aids the development of a child's brain in its first year of life, increasing brain size and IQ.
Music has always been part of traditional nursery activities. Not only is it something that young children thoroughly enjoy, but several recent studies have shown just how important it is for their development. Researchers Rauscher, Shaw et al in Neurological Research found that certain music activities have a profoundly positive effect on learning and on the brain itself - especially with children at a young age. The BBC 1 programme 'Child of Our Time' (shown in July 2001) emphasised that music-making aids the development of a child's brain in its first year of life, increasing brain size and IQ.
Young children who participate in musical activities not only show a greater capacity for learning but also have higher self-esteem. In addition, music can be useful for helping to teach specific areas of the curriculum, such as maths, history, language and literacy, social skills and physical education - making it much more fun in the process. Singing and dancing, for example, use muscles from head to toe, helping children improve macro and fine motor skills, co-ordination, poise, balance and a sense of rhythm. Mathematical skills can be gained from counting beats and listening to the patterns in music.
CROSS-CULTURAL ACTIVITY
Music, a universal language, helps children increase their vocabulary, express thought and explore meaning, especially through songs. Assimilating different sounds, beats and tones requires listening, speaking, singing and active group participation, which are all useful pre-reading and social skills.
But despite its value, musical education is increasingly marginalised in early years settings. Expense should not be the reason for this as Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships are able to set up training programmes using finance from the Standards Fund and Sure Start budgets. It is important that EYDCPs include music training for children, families, volunteers and staff both in the early years and out-of-school sectors. New budgets for musical instruments are a positive step, but this is not enough without training for staff.
TRAINING PROGRAMMES
The exciting role of movement in revolutionising learning and social skills in the early years has been adopted by the arts organisation, Jabadao. Its manager, Pat Pickavance, says, 'The Jabadao movement-based approach emphasises the role of play through movement as a necessary precursor to more intellectual - or traditional - forms of learning. Jabadao projects have been warmly received for 15 years in schools, nurseries and special needs settings. Yet without an initiative at the highest level - a leap of imagination on the part of educators and funders on a large scale - such work remains almost invisible.'
The Making Music Programme has also been providing music training and workshops for the past six years through its three programmes: The Rocking Rabbit Training Programme, The Bunny Hop Workshop and the Bus 'ta Move Dance Workshop.
The Rocking Rabbit Training Programme was created by Sunika Sounds and commissioned by the Baylis programme at the English National Opera. It has worked with Early Education (formerly BAECE). The training is designed for all early years practitioners who wish to expand their music repertoire with the message 'you don't have to be an expert in order to provide good quality musical experiences'. The team has also adapted the programme for children with special needs. At a celebratory session held at the Royal Festival Hall, the trainers held the attention of more than 100 children with special needs for an astounding one hour.
Ray Cortis and Emily Franz both work for the Making Music Programme.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
* The Making Music Programme, Suite 2, 1 Vermont Road, London SE19 3SR. Tel: 020 8653 1289, Fax: 020 8240 7414, e-mail: info@tmmp. org, website: www.tmmp.org
* Jabadao, Branch House, 18 Branch Road, Armley, Leeds LS12 3AQ. Tel: 0113 2310650, fax: 0113 2635863, website www.jabadao.org.
