New project to support music making in the early years

Behind the new initiative – The Family Music Hub – is Early Education and early childhood music practitioners Katie Neilson, Rosie Adediran and Nicola Burke.

It is backed by Youth Music, which is funded by the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

The aim of The Family Music Hub is to provide a democratic and inclusive model of early childhood family music making practice, as well as a place anyone working musically with families can go to for support, including resources and training.

It is in response to the limited support available for early years practitioners, volunteers, library staff and music specialists to offer families high-quality music-making experiences.

According to Early Education, despite the ‘rapid growth’ in early childhood music in the past two decades, the majority of early years practitioners are untrained and unsupported, with practice often based on observation of peers, TV/YouTube, assumptions and guesswork. 

It also says that ‘practice does not typically recognise children’s and families’ musical identities and heritage, or the rich musical worlds young children often enjoy at home.’

Under The Family Music Hub, action research with practitioners will also be carried out.

Early Education’s chief executive Beatrice Merrick said, ‘We’re delighted to be working with Katie, Rosie and Nicola on this innovative project which will support the many different practitioners engaging in musical activities with young children. Early Education is strongly committed to encouraging partnership with families and recognition of their diverse backgrounds and cultures, so the project fits well with our values. We’re grateful to Youth Music for the chance to undertake this work, which will lay the groundwork for an important new resource for music in the early years.’