Teaching Preschoolers Pre-K Music
Using Songs, Singing & Instruments with Toddlers and Young Children
Teaching music to young children means less structured practice time and more active involvement for the preschoolers. Here are tips for doing music with kids.
Just as infants respond to music even in the womb, the love of music develops more through toddler and preschool years. Parents can provide what Suzuki, an early childhood music education developer called “a superior home environment” by providing musical stimulation in various ways each day.
Music Development for Two and Three Year Olds
Beginning about age 2, children start trying to repeat back musical phrases, show physical responses to music and can clearly differentiate between tempos, intonations, rhythms and other musical concepts.
Allow young toddlers to “sing-along” to familiar lullabies, finger play songs and other simple tunes. Day care workers and parents should not worry if a child can't match the exact tune yet, that comes in time. At this stage in musical development, toddlers are learning high and low but exact pitches may not be matched exactly and that is alright.
Toddlers love to explore music through body movements so provide lots of opportunity for dancing, movement, arm and hand motions. For example, if you are singing about flowers give each child a flower and let her wave it about as she sings. If the song is about birds, let the children be birds and “fly” around the room in response to the words of the song or tune of the music. Give toddlers simple rhythm instruments to play with for instant musical success.
Music Developement for Four and Five Year Olds
At this age the music learning process should still emphasize fun rather than a polished finished product. Formal music education is still above most young children at this stage in their development but music should be a major part of a preschooler's life. Dr. John Gordon talks about how a child's music aptitude, known as audiation, can actually decrease by the age of 9 unless the child is provided with quality music stimulation early in life.
Preschoolers are now developing the ability to imitate and refining their singing skills. Some children will be able to sing entire songs and a few will even be able to match pitch and sing the tunes accurately, although teachers should not force this yet.
At the Pre-K levels children are very interested in rhythms and rhythm instruments and should be able to “play along” with songs even though they might not be able to keep a steady beat yet. Some preschoolers will be able to repeat back short rhythmic phrases or clap their hands in imitation of a teachers rhythmic clapping.
It is important for parents and educators to encourage creative and spontaneous responses to musical selections and to keep music fun and exciting – without an emphasis on performance.
Additional Tips for Music with Toddlers
Select children's sing-along tapes carefully as preschoolers have a limited vocal range that is higher than most adult males. Try letting your toddlers listen to music that is sung in a higher “head voice” tone of voice rather than a deep bass voice that children would strain their voices mimicking.
There are many classical and instrumental music selections that are great for toddlers and preschoolers and can be used in a wide variety of day-to-day activities including free play time, meal time, bath time, nap or bed times, etc.
Parents and childcare workers can give children a head start by providing a rich, musical environment for the toddlers in their care: fun and active musical activities and music play areas that encourage children will go a long way towards musical success later in life.
Sources:
- The Mozart Effect by Don Campbell [Harper Paperbacks, 2001]
- How to Grow a Young Music Lover by Cheri Fuller [Shaw Books, 2002]
- Creative Activities for Young Children by Mary Mayesky [Thomson Delmar Learning, 8th edition, 2005]
- Mind, Music and Imagery by Stephanie Merritt [Aslan Publishing,1996]
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