How Music Supports Early Learning Goals
Music is a powerful tool in early childhood education, helping kids learn and grow in fun, engaging ways. It boosts language skills, builds social connections, and supports physical development through movement and rhythm. At Little Dinosaurs Childcare in Auckland, music is woven into daily routines, supporting the curriculum (Te Whāriki) and helping children aged 2–5 thrive. From singing and dancing to exploring instruments, music encourages emotional expression, teamwork, and even early maths skills like counting and patterns. By integrating music into everyday activities, educators create meaningful learning experiences that celebrate diversity and nurture each child’s potential.
Welcome to Music Webinar Series 2016 - Music, the key to learning in Early Childhood
How Music Supports Child Development
Music plays a key role in a child's growth by offering a way to express emotions without words. For instance, toddlers often stomp, sway, or clap along to music when they're feeling upset or excited. These movements become their way of communicating what they can’t yet put into words.
Participating in group music activities helps children develop important social skills like listening, turn-taking, and teamwork. Songs that tell stories introduce them to different viewpoints, which can nurture their ability to empathise with others.
Musical play also gives kids a safe space to explore their emotions. Instead of worrying about being "right", they’re free to experiment. Whether it’s banging on a drum to release frustration or using chimes to create calming sounds, these activities help children build emotional resilience.
But music’s benefits don’t stop there - it’s also highly adaptable, making it an effective tool for supporting kids with diverse learning needs.
Music for All Learning Needs
One of music’s strengths is how it connects with different learning styles. Visual learners might enjoy colourful instruments or visual cues, while auditory learners are naturally drawn to rhythm and sound. Kinaesthetic learners thrive when music involves movement, and children with sensory sensitivities can explore gentle sounds like shakers or bells.
For children with developmental delays or those learning English, music provides additional support. Songs with repetitive lyrics, combined with actions and visual aids, can help expand their vocabulary and encourage emotional expression. This inclusive approach ensures that music becomes a way for every child to better understand and manage their emotions.
Using Music to Support Key Learning Areas
Music plays a vital role in supporting key areas of learning, laying the groundwork for academic growth.
Language and Literacy Development
Songs are a natural way to strengthen language skills by connecting words with actions. For instance, when toddlers sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes", they not only learn the names of body parts but also link these words to physical movements, making the learning process more engaging and memorable.
The combination of rhythm and melody helps embed vocabulary in a child's memory. Rhyming songs are especially effective because they teach phonological awareness - the ability to recognise how changes in sounds create new words. This skill is crucial for developing reading abilities later on.
"Songs and chants that have rhyming words help children grasp the difference that a sound can make in a word... Knowing how to rhyme will support later reading success."– Headstart.gov
Visual aids such as picture books, puppets, or flannel boards can further enhance understanding. For example, using a puppet spider to mimic the actions in "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" gives children a visual representation of the song's story, making it more relatable and easier to comprehend.
Music also serves as a bridge to different languages and traditions. When educators incorporate songs in children's home languages, they create meaningful links between the classroom and family life. This approach not only helps children feel recognised and valued but also broadens their understanding of other cultures. At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, music is seamlessly integrated into daily activities to promote language growth and celebrate diversity.
Beyond language, music's rhythmic nature also supports early mathematical thinking.
Numeracy Through Rhythm and Patterns
Counting songs naturally weave in mathematical concepts. Songs like "Five Little Ducks" or "Ten in a Bed" introduce number sequences, subtraction, and one-to-one correspondence in a playful and engaging way, so children absorb these ideas without even realising they are learning maths.
Rhythm, too, plays a critical role in early numeracy. Clapping along to beats or recognising repeating patterns in songs helps children develop the skills needed to understand number patterns and sequences. Clapping games that involve counting beats also teach foundational concepts such as "more", "less", and "equal."
Motor Skill Development
Music doesn't just nurture the mind - it also enhances physical abilities. Activities like dancing, marching, or jumping to music build gross motor skills, improving muscle strength, coordination, and spatial awareness. These skills are essential for everyday tasks, from running and climbing to simply navigating the space around them.
Action songs and finger plays, such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", specifically target fine motor skills. These activities encourage precise hand and finger movements, which are key for tasks like writing, drawing, and using utensils. The eye–hand coordination developed through musical activities often translates into improved skills in other areas, such as holding a pencil, manipulating small objects, or solving puzzles.
Practical Ways to Use Music in Early Learning
Music works best when it naturally blends into everyday activities. Instead of treating it as a standalone event, educators can use music to enrich routine moments, turning them into meaningful learning experiences.
Adding Music to Daily Routines
Music can seamlessly enhance various parts of the day:
Morning arrivals: Miss Tasha plays her ukulele softly and sings a welcome song as children arrive. This simple gesture creates a calm and inviting atmosphere, helping children transition from home to the classroom.
Transition times: Moving from one activity to another can sometimes be tricky, but music makes it easier. Mr Devin uses a cheerful clean-up song to signal when it's time to tidy up. The familiar tune acts as a cue, helping children naturally shift gears, whether it’s for lining up, washing hands, or starting a new activity.
Circle time: Music brings energy and focus to group gatherings. Welcome songs help children settle in, and name songs make each child feel seen and valued. Adding instruments like tambourines or maracas encourages participation, turning listening into an interactive experience.
Meal and rest times: Snack time becomes a chance to sing about healthy eating, reinforcing important concepts. Gentle instrumental music during naptime helps children relax, while encouraging quiet humming supports emotional regulation.
Outdoor play: Music isn’t just for indoors. Miss Tasha leads a lively game of Freeze Dance during outdoor time, showing how singing or using portable instruments can make playtime even more engaging.
Incorporating music into these moments makes daily routines smoother and more enjoyable for both children and educators.
Setting Up a Music-Friendly Learning Space
Creating a space that encourages musical exploration doesn’t have to be complicated. Thoughtful planning and organisation can make all the difference.
Position the music area in a part of the classroom where noise is welcomed, away from quieter zones meant for concentration. The space should allow for free movement, ensuring children can explore safely and energetically. For smaller classrooms, even a basket of instruments or a single shelf dedicated to music can be effective.
Here are some essentials for a vibrant music space:
Instruments: Include a mix of drums, rhythm sticks, tambourines, shakers, maracas, bells, triangles, and keyboards. Sorting instruments by type helps children make intentional choices about the sounds they want to create. Homemade instruments crafted by children and educators add a personal touch.
Movement materials: Items like scarves, streamers, and dancing ribbons encourage children to express themselves through movement. Naomi G. from Play Matters Preschool found that adding these materials near her music space enriched the experience for her students.
Technology: A CD player can introduce children to a wide variety of music, while a microphone encourages performance and builds confidence.
Outdoor music: Music doesn’t have to stay indoors. Laura H. from Sweet Pea Dayhome created an outdoor music station using old pots, pans, and metal bowls mounted on a surface. These weatherproof instruments let children experiment with different sounds while enjoying the outdoors.
A well-thought-out music space inspires creativity and exploration, setting the stage for meaningful learning experiences.
Including Different Cultures Through Music
Music is a powerful way to introduce children to different cultures and celebrate the diversity within their own classroom. Playing traditional songs from various countries during daily activities helps children connect with different traditions.
Familiar tunes, like the ABCs or counting songs, can be sung in different languages, helping children notice universal patterns while expanding their vocabulary. Videos of live performances can bring these cultural experiences to life, showing instruments, settings, and people in action.
Involving families in the process makes the experience even more meaningful. Inviting parents to share songs from their heritage connects children to authentic cultural traditions. Creating a multicultural playlist and using it regularly helps normalise diversity in the classroom.
At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, music from around the world is part of the daily routine, fostering respect for diversity and supporting early learning goals outlined in Te Whāriki. By weaving music into everyday life, creating spaces for exploration, and celebrating different traditions, educators can help children build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Measuring the Impact of Music Activities
Understanding how music activities contribute to a child’s development involves careful observation and thoughtful documentation. Instead of focusing solely on rigid milestones, assessments should aim to capture the rich and spontaneous learning that occurs during musical play. These observations allow educators to adapt and refine activities to better meet the needs of the children.
Signs of Learning and Engagement
Observing children during music sessions can reveal valuable insights into their growth across various areas of development. Pay attention to specific behaviours that align with broader learning objectives.
Emotional and social development often shines through in group interactions. Watch for moments of cooperation during group singing, sharing of instruments, or the confidence to express emotions through movement and sound. A child who initially hesitates may gradually join in, showing growing self-assurance and a sense of connection. Notice their responses to different musical moods - do they sway gently to soft melodies or burst into energetic movement with upbeat rhythms?
Cognitive growth becomes evident when children recognise musical patterns, recall song lyrics, or connect sounds to concepts. Improved listening skills, such as distinguishing between loud and soft sounds or identifying instruments, are clear signs of progress. Some children may even start creating their own songs, blending creativity with language development.
Physical development is visible in how children move and handle instruments. Fine motor skills improve as they learn to hold rhythm sticks or press piano keys with precision. Gross motor coordination develops through activities like dancing, marching, or responding to music with their whole body. These physical responses complement the developmental benefits of engaging with music.
"Careful observation offers opportunities to learn about children, their previous knowledge and experience, and the ways that they are exploring, so that teachers can recognise and intentionally support learning".
Music also plays a role in language and communication growth. Children may experiment with new words from songs, explore vocal sounds, or use music as a tool to express ideas they can’t yet articulate with words.
Recording Progress
Building on these observations, it’s essential to document the learning process in a meaningful way. Using Te Whāriki as a guide, educators can record musical development through methods that highlight each child’s unique journey.
Learning stories are a powerful way to capture progress. These narratives go beyond listing skills, instead providing context and meaning to a child’s musical experiences. For example, a story might describe how a child initially observed others playing drums from a distance, then gradually joined in, eventually creating their own rhythmic patterns and sharing their excitement with peers.
Photography and video recordings add a visual layer to these stories, showcasing a child’s progression from tentative exploration of an instrument to confident participation in a group performance.
Anecdotal notes offer another way to document insights. These notes might describe a child spontaneously creating a song, leading a musical activity, or responding thoughtfully to a new cultural piece. The focus isn’t just on what happened but also on the child’s engagement and interactions with others.
"Assessment in Te Whāriki is about supporting children and motivating them to reach their potential, rather than assessing against pre-set milestones".
Work samples can provide tangible evidence of learning. Drawings inspired by music, attempts at writing lyrics, or recordings of original compositions become even more meaningful when paired with the child’s own reflections.
Including family input can further enrich the assessment process. Parents might share stories of their child singing songs at home or showing newfound confidence in musical expression, offering a broader perspective on the impact of these activities.
Regular reflection on these collected observations helps educators identify patterns and plan next steps. For instance, a child with strong rhythmic abilities but hesitation in group singing might benefit from smaller group settings, while one showing creative movement could be encouraged to share new dance ideas with peers.
The ultimate aim is to celebrate and support each child’s unique musical journey, recognising how these experiences contribute to their growth as confident and capable learners.
Conclusion: Music's Impact on Early Learning
Music plays a crucial role in early childhood education, offering benefits that go far beyond just learning to sing or play instruments. Research shows that children deeply engaged in music tend to be academically over a year ahead of their peers, highlighting its influence on academic progress.
When children engage in musical activities, it’s not just their creativity that flourishes. Music stimulates the entire brain, enhancing cognitive abilities, memory, and problem-solving skills. Singing songs, clapping to rhythms, or playing simple instruments aren’t just fun activities - they’re building blocks for lifelong learning.
Language development is another area where music shines. Studies reveal that infants develop rhythm-based foundations of language even before they start forming phonetic sounds. This natural connection between rhythm and communication helps children expand their vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and develop sharper listening skills.
The benefits don’t stop at cognitive and language development. Music also nurtures social and emotional growth. Group musical activities teach cooperation, turn-taking, and empathy. These experiences provide a safe space for children to express emotions, regulate their feelings, and build confidence - skills that are essential for navigating school life and forming positive relationships.
At Little Dinosaurs Childcare, music is seamlessly integrated into the Te Whāriki-based curriculum. Each child’s developmental needs are carefully considered, allowing educators to support and observe the unique ways children grow through musical engagement.
Dr. Eric Rasmussen from The Johns Hopkins University captures this beautifully:
"Music gives you a better understanding of yourself. Your understanding of art and the world, and how you can think and express yourself, are enhanced".
This deeper self-awareness and creative expression prepare children not just for academic success, but for a lifetime of meaningful connections and confident learning.
A musical environment reflects a centre’s commitment to holistic development. Music doesn’t just stand alone - it enhances learning in other areas by fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills that children can apply throughout their lives.
From those first tentative steps into music to confident participation, children gain far more than just skills. They develop a sense of capability and belonging. When early learning centres prioritise music as a key part of their curriculum, they’re investing in each child’s academic growth, emotional health, and creative potential. These experiences lay the groundwork for lifelong learning and a future filled with possibilities.
FAQs
How does music support children with different learning styles and needs in early education?
Music plays an important role in early education, offering children with a range of learning styles and needs a chance to shine. Singing supports language development, movement activities tied to music improve motor skills, and rhythm and melody provide a safe outlet for emotional expression. These qualities make music an excellent tool, especially for children with diverse abilities, including neurodiverse learners.
Bringing in music from various cultures adds another layer of value by promoting inclusivity and celebrating diversity. This approach helps create a welcoming and supportive environment where every child can feel seen and valued. Through music, children can connect with others, build skills, and grow in ways that align with their individual strengths.
How can music be used in daily routines to support early learning in children?
Music has a special way of enriching early learning and making everyday routines more enjoyable for children. Singing songs about simple tasks like getting dressed, tidying up, or eating not only makes these moments more engaging but also helps kids build language skills, reinforce routines, and boost their memory. For instance, a lively tune during teeth brushing can transform it into an entertaining and educational activity.
Soft background music during creative play or transitions can create a calming atmosphere, helping kids stay focused and manage their emotions. Action songs and rhymes add another layer of fun, encouraging children to develop motor skills and coordination as they move along to the beat. These small yet impactful techniques support early learning goals and contribute to a child’s overall growth.
How does music help children develop socially and emotionally?
Music holds a special place in nurturing a child's social and emotional development. Activities like singing, dancing, or playing instruments offer children a creative way to express their emotions, helping them understand and manage their feelings in a healthy, constructive manner. These experiences also encourage self-awareness and empathy, as kids begin to recognise and connect with the emotions of others.
When children participate in group musical activities, they gain valuable social skills like cooperation, turn-taking, and effective communication. Whether it's sharing instruments or harmonising in a song, music brings kids together, promoting positive interactions and a sense of belonging. This shared experience not only strengthens their relationships but also builds emotional resilience for the future.
